Queen Camilla's hearty chicken broth has a superfood that controls blood pressure

Queen Camilla loves to cook, and her signature dish for lunch is a hearty chicken broth. Tom Parker Bowles, son of Queen Camilla and her ex-husband Andrew Parker Bowles, recently shared the recipe for her chicken broth, and it is packed with the goodness of a superfood.

In his new book, 'Cooking & The Crown', Tom spoke about his mother Queen Camilla's Chicken Broth recipe, with its two seasonal variations, a hearty winter version and a lighter summer one incorporating a superfood and the latter is said to have many health benefits including regulating blood pressed.

"This is Queen Camilla's lunchtime staple. In winter, carrots, thinly sliced cabbage, and potatoes provide the ballast, while in spring and summer, broad beans, peas, spinach, and runner beans take their place. But feel free to throw in whatever you like, from chopped artichoke hearts to asparagus, swede, watercress, and green beans,” Tom described.

For the winter dish, Queen Camilla, incorporates carrot, savoy cabbage, potato, and celery stick. In the summer, she loves to add spinach, peas, runner beans, and broad beans.

The recipe, according to Tom is rather simple. You can start by boiling the 1.5 litres of stock, and reduce it by a third. Add the chicken, which also requires roasting and shredding beforehand. Throw in the vegetables, and let it cook. The dish will be ready in a few minutes. Tom suggests adding ingredients such as lemon (for the juice), tabasco, pepper, parmesan, chicken thighs, and chicken stock as per individual liking.

While Queen Camilla’s unique chicken broth is packed with flavours, nutritionists think that the summer edition is quite the star because of its health benefits. Helen Bell, a nutritional expert at Help & Advice, told the Express that Queen Camilla's recipe has lots of fiber, which is especially beneficial for digestive health. The nutritionist also stated that the spinach used in the summer version is a ‘powerhouse’ of nutrients, and has a crucial role in controlling blood pressure. The expert stressed that the ingredient list for the chicken broth is quite robust and varied, which can contribute to a well-rounded flavour profile and nutritional content. She further added that spinach is rich in nitrates, which can help dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow and reducing blood pressure. She shared that spinach also provides nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium, and possesses antioxidant properties that is beneficial for overall health and wellbeing.

The expert further suggested that chicken broth is a healthy dish due to its diverse range of ingredients that provide various nutrients. The combination of protein from chicken, vitamins and minerals from the vegetables, and healthy fats from the parmesan makes it a nutritionally balanced meal. She also recommended limiting the amount of salt and portion size to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

And needless to say, a chicken broth is a comfort meal, that makes you feel at home.

(Pic courtesy: Reuters)


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