3 Recipes to Boost your Immune System During COVID

March 1, 2021
|In Food
|By Neel Patel

One of the most popular steps that people have been following lately (besides adhering to the social distancing protocols, of course) is watching what they eat. Or, more specifically, they’re eating healthier, immunity-boosting foods. This is specifically done to give their body the strength to fight the virus off, lest they do manage to catch it.

However, when we think of eating healthy, our brains automatically conjure up the image of a boring old salad. Honestly, that’s enough to kill any non-fitness buff’s appetite. However, healthy eating doesn’t really have to be tasteless — and we’ve got proof behind this statement, too!

Today, we’ll be sharing our three favorite immunity-boosting recipes to help bolster your COVID nutrition. Plus, they also happen to be absolutely delicious.

#1. A Scrumptious Starter: Caesar Wraps with Kale and Salmon Recipe

A starter that healthy yet delicious and crunchy at the same time is a rare culinary gem, but this starter hits all those sweet spots. Packed with superfoods and supercharged with vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, the bad bacteria are going to have a tough time fighting this treat off.

Ingredients

  • ¾ lb. salmon
  • ¼ lemon juice
  • Drizzle olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 6 cups chopped kale
  • ⅓ cup Caesar dressing (store-bought is fine)
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • 4 whole wheat tortillas

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the salmon on a dish sprayed with cooking oil and squeeze a whole lemon over it.
  2. Add your seasonings and a healthy glug of olive oil, then bake the fish for about 15 minutes, or until it is cooked.
  3. Toss up your salad by adding Caesar dressing and parmesan to the kale, then combine them well. Fill in the tortillas with the salad and salmon and wrap them tight.

Your delicious homemade wraps are ready!

#2. The Marvelous Main Course: Pesto Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Almonds and Chicken Recipe

Pasta’s up there on everyone’s favorite list, but here’s a healthier version of the classic pesto pasta. It’s loaded with vitamin C, E, and proteins to shoo away the coronavirus and boost up the stats of your immune system.

Ingredients:

Pesto sauce

  • 1¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes (dry, not oil-packed)
  • ½ cup slivered almonds
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • Salt and pepper

Chicken and pasta

  • 8 oz. whole wheat spaghetti
  • 5 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
  • ½ tsp. dried basil
  • ½ tsp. dried oregano
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. pepper
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Blend up your sauce by tossing the tomatoes, almonds, cloves, olive oil, and lemon juice into the food processor. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.
  2. Pound the chicken to ½-inch thickness. Season your chicken with basil, oregano, seasonings, and garlic powder. Allow the chicken to sit for at least an hour.
  3. Meanwhile, boil your pasta for about 6-8 minutes in a large pot. Strain the pasta and add the pesto sauce to it immediately.
  4. Heat up a cast-iron skillet with some olive oil over medium heat. Next, cook both sides of your chicken breast for about 4 minutes.
  5. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and serve it alongside your pasta with some chives and lemon slices for garnishing.

#3. A Delightful Dessert: Yogurt Pops with Mandarin Oranges Recipe

Yogurt’s a great probiotic for your system. Combining it with a delicious and healthy fruit, plus a natural sweetener that improves your heart health, creates one of the most indulgent sweet treats that you won’t feel too guilty about.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup raw honey
  • 5 drops orange extract (optional)
  • 1 15-oz. mandarin oranges (canned or fresh)

Instructions:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the honey, orange extract, and yogurt and mix until combined. Squeeze out the juices from the mandarin oranges and whip them into the mixture, too.
  2. Once your mixture achieves a smooth consistency, pour it into popsicle molds and add the popsicle sticks to the molds.
  3. Allow it to freeze overnight and give your homemade pops a taste the very next day!

Eating healthy food doesn’t always have to mean you’ll be having bland food. With good ingredients and the right know-how, you can make your everyday meals as tasty as they could ever be. And with the COVID pandemic around, you’re better off making one of these for extra protection.

So, what are you waiting for? Try these three recipes out today!