Add milk and cook the soup

Joint pain can make everyday activities difficult. Eating a balanced diet can help the body get the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Onion, garlic and milk soup with nettle is a simple recipe that you can prepare at home.

Although this soup can be part of a healthy diet there is not enough evidence to show that it can treat joint pain.

Ingredients you will need

•To make this soup you will need.

•3 tablespoons of chopped onion

•2 cloves of garlic

•4 tablespoons of sunflower oil

•1 tablespoon of flour

•600 ml of chicken stock or water

•450 grams of nettle leaves

•600 ml of low fat milk

•Salt and black pepper to taste

Fresh coriander for extra flavour

How to make onion, garlic and nettle soup

Follow these simple steps to prepare the soup at home.

 Cook the onion and garlic

Heat the sunflower oil in a pan. Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook them until they become slightly soft.

 Add the flour

Stir in the flour and mix well. Slowly pour in the chicken stock or water while stirring to prevent lumps from forming.

Cook the nettle leaves

Add the nettle leaves and cover the pan. Cook over low heat until the leaves become soft.

Blend the mixture

Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then blend it until smooth.

 Add the milk

Pour the blended mixture back into the pan and add the milk. Cook for another 5–10 minutes stirring gently.

Season and serve

Add salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve the soup warm.

Important safety tips

•Before using nettle

Nettle leaves have tiny hair like structures that can irritate the skin. Always use properly identified food safe nettle leaves and handle them with gloves before cooking.  Make sure they are thoroughly cooked before eating.

This soup can provide nutrients as part of a balanced diet but it should not be considered a treatment for joint pain. If your joint pain continues becomes severe or affects your daily activities consult a healthcare professional