Health & Fitness

3 Best Soup Recipes To Promote Better Sleep

At the heart of self-love, we all have our unique ways to take care of ourselves. Some indulge in well-deserved pampering, while others find joy in hitting the gym, triggering those happy hormones. But here’s something that often goes unnoticed in our self-care routines: sleep! It’s one of the key pillars of good health.

When we enjoy a restful sleep, our bodies become stronger and happier. Not only does sleep improve our overall well-being, but it also works wonders for our mood and brain performance. Some of us, however, struggle to doze off peacefully. No matter how much we toss and turn, our brains won’t quiet down.

Thankfully, there’s a delicious remedy to help you drift into dreamland, and it’s soup! A warm bowl of tasty soup is not only comforting but also has sleep-inducing powers. And let’s not forget that nothing says love better than a steaming bowl of delicious soup, right? So, we have three wonderfully unique soup recipes for you to prepare before you hit the hay. Plus, we’ll also share tips and tricks to add a touch of magic to your soups, making them not only taste amazing but also leave you feeling fantastic!

1. Chicken Soup

Description: Chicken Soup with Spices is a comforting and flavorful dish that warms both the body and the soul. The chicken becomes succulent and infused with the rich spice-infused broth, while the vegetables and herbs add a refreshing touch. With each spoonful, you’ll experience a delightful balance of savoury, aromatic, and mildly spicy notes that will leave you feeling nourished and satisfied.

Ingredients:

  • ¼ nos Chicken, cut into parts
  • 1 tbsp Cooking oil
  • ½ stick Cinnamon
  • 1 ½ nos Cardamom seeds
  • ½ pcs Star Anise
  • 2 nos Shallot, thinly sliced
  • ¼ nos Boombay Onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 nos Garlic, thinly sliced
  • ½ nos Carrot, cut into cube
  • 1 nos Potato, cut into cube
  • 250 ml Water
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • ¼ tsp AJI-NO-MOTO®
  • 1 tbsp Chinese Celery, chop


Cooking Method: 

  1. Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add in cinnamon, cardamom and star anise, fry until fragrant.
  2. Then add in shallot, onion and garlic, stir fry until fragrant.
  3. Add the chicken, water and stir, then cover the pot and simmer until half cooked.
  4. Then add in potato, carrot and cook until tender.
  5. Season with AJI-NO-MOTO® and salt.
  6. Sprinkle with chinese celery,
  7. Ready to serve.

2. Coconut Chicken Soup

Description: Coconut Chicken Soup is a delightful fusion of flavors that features tender pieces of chicken swimming in a coconut-infused broth, enriched with the essence of Chinese red dates, ginger, and dried goji berries.The combination creates a harmonious balance of savoury and slightly sweet notes, while adding a refreshing touch. It’s a nourishing bowl of tantalising soup that warms the soul and leaves your craving for more.

Ingredients:

  • 1 litre Coconut water
  • 1 litre Water
  • ½ Chicken, cleaned and cut (estimated 600 g)
  • 10 nos Chinese red date, cut into half and seed removed
  • 2 nos Ginger, sliced
  • 1 tbsp TUMIX® Chicken Stock
  • 10 g Dried goji berry, soaked in water until soft

 

Cooking Method:

  1. Pour in coconut water and water in a pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Add in chicken, Chinese red dates and ginger. Put on the lid then cook for 30 minutes over medium heat.
  3. Skim off the foam and oil that rise on top during half-way cooking.
  4. Season with TUMIX® Chicken Stock.
  5. Add in goji berries and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
  6. Ready to serve.

3. Mixed Vegetable Soup

Description: Mixed Vegetable Soup is a vibrant and wholesome medley of fresh vegetables simmered in a flavorful broth. This nourishing soup combines an assortment of seasonal vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet corn. Whether enjoyed as a light meal or a comforting starter, this is a comforting and healthy choice that will leave you feeling satisfied and nourished.

Ingredients:

  • 150 g Pickled mustard
  • 1 ½ litre Water
  • 500 g Chicken, cut into bite sizes
  • 1 ½ nos Onion (large), diced
  • 1 no Potato (large), diced
  • 1 no Carrot (large), diced
  • 1 no Sweet corn, cut into bite sizes
  • 3 nos Tomatoes (large), diced
  • ½ tsp AJI-NO-MOTO®

 

Cooking Method:

  1. Rinse pickled mustard and slice thinly.
  2. Pour water into the pot.
  3. Add in all ingredients and boil until the chicken is cooked.
  4. Skim off the scum on the surface of the soup.
  5. Ready to serve.

3 Ways to Jazz Up Your Soup

While a comforting bowl of hearty soup aids in a good night’s sleep, it’s equally essential to ensure it’s delicious. Here are three ways to elevate your soup, making it sensational and leaving you feeling fantastic.

1. Be Generous With Your Vegetables
If you adore vegetables, don’t hold back in loading your soup with an abundance of nutrient-packed options rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants. Vegetables such as spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, and celery not only add delicious flavours but also provide a wealth of essential nutrients.

2. Play With Flavours
Elevate the taste of your soup by incorporating a variety of herbs and spices. While they indeed enhance seasoning, these precious additions also contribute to lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels, boosting the immune system, and enhancing brain function.

3. Sleep-Induced Soups
Soups can be excellent sleep aids, and it’s beneficial to include ingredients that support slumber. Incorporating foods like potatoes, chicken, and spinach, which are high in tryptophan, can stimulate the production of melatonin—the sleep hormone. When combined together, these elements create a perfect concoction to induce peaceful sleep.

All in all, while soups are comforting on their own, they provide an abundance of benefits. The carefully selected ingredients in soups, such as vegetables, herbs, and spices, not only delight the taste buds but also offer a myriad of health benefits that promote better sleep. From boosting the immune system to triggering the sleep hormone melatonin, soups have become a natural and effective ally in achieving a restful slumber. So, next time you find yourself seeking a peaceful night’s rest, consider turning to a sleep-inducing soup and let its soothing properties guide you into a deep and rejuvenating sleep