Name: Fire Cider
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup peeled, chopped ginger; 1 cup peeled, chopped horshradish; 2 jalapeños, chopped and deseeded; 1/2 cup white onion, chopped; 2 lemons zested and juiced; 1/4 cup chopped garlic; 3/4 cup chopped turmeric; 16 oz raw apple cider vinegar with the mother; any herbs you have on hand-rosemary, thyme, oregano.; manuka or local raw honey

NourishFood as Medicine

Apr 22

Written By Germaine Benoit

Simple ingredients that can have a massive impact on strengthening your immune system through “cold” season

Fire Cider... Have you ever tried it or even heard of it? It’s been around for quite some time and is pretty potent. It's a powerful blend of antimicrobial and antiviral ingredients that have the ability to support your immune system during "cold and flu” season! I made my first batch last Fall and am a FIRM believer in it. I gifted it to several friends and family members, who also felt the protective benefits, and are sold on its ability to keep you healthy.

You'll find all the top players here: ginger, manuka honey, garlic, turmeric, onion, horseradish, and even the infamous apple cider vinegar. They all marinate together for a few weeks to pull all their powerful protecting agents out, then it's ready. Surprisingly, the flavor is great, especially when you add in the honey.

So how does it work?

Each ingredient has its unique ability to help protect your immune system, either being anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, or antiviral. It is packed with Vitamin C-rich ingredients like lemon and congestion fighting properties of horseradish.

I recommend taking a tablespoon every few days to keep your immune system up or each day if you feel something coming on. It can be taken alone, added to marinades, mixed with extra virgin olive oil for a salad dressing, or even drizzled over a soup. It has a vinegary flavor and makes a great sub anywhere you'd need acid in a dish.

I always double batch when I make this so I will have plenty for the season and can gift some, too. Making it, makes me feel like I’m making some witches brew from "Hocus Pocus" and gets me into the Fall state of mind!

I'm hoping you'll give this one a shot this Fall! I'd start a batch now, so it'll be ready at the first of October when colds start getting a little more rampant.

Fire Cider

Yield: 20

Author: Germaine Benoit/ Nourished + Empowered

Prep time: 20 MinTotal time: 20 Min

Ingredients

1/2 cup peeled, chopped ginger
1 cup peeled, chopped horshradish
2 jalapeños, chopped and deseeded
1/2 cup white onion, chopped
2 lemons zested and juiced
1/4 cup chopped garlic
3/4 cup chopped turmeric
16 oz raw apple cider vinegar with the mother
any herbs you have on hand-rosemary, thyme, oregano.
manuka or local raw honey

Instructions

Once all the ingredients are chopped, add them to a large mason jar, except the honey, add any herbs you may have, as well.
Fill the jar to the top (just below the neck of the jar) with apple cider vinegar
Cover with the lid and seal tight. Place in a dark cool cabinet for at least two weeks (one month is even better) and let marinate
Once your mixture is ready (after 2-4 weeks) strain the contents through a fine mesh strainer with a bowl under to catch all the juice, which is now your fire cider, pour the juice into a jar.
Add manuka or raw local honey to taste (about 1 -2 tbs, but to your liking)
Keep refrigerated
This should last months in your fridge and can be taken on its own by tablespoon or mixed into a salad dressing with a little extra virgin olive oil
Additional Notes
I always double batch so I have plenty on hand for myself and to share with friends and family