My Favorite Horseradish Recipe (Also One of My Favorite Foods that Fight Infection)

Your immune system can use all of the help it can get right now. Feeding your body certain foods that fight infection is a terrific way to give yourself the boost it needs. One of my favorites is horseradish, and I’ve got a great recipe to share.

Known for its very potent taste, horseradish helps your body defend itself against potential illnesses and has antibiotic properties when broken down in the stomach. (The combination of benefits is what makes it one of the top foods that fight infection.) It also fuels your body with energy. Consuming it raw or diced with some vinegar is best for getting all of the benefits.

Homemade prepared horseradish is best. A garden plant might be hard to come by these days, but you can probably get horseradish roots at a specialty supermarket the next time you go food shopping. Here’s how to make your own.

Ingredients:
8-10 inch long piece of horseradish root
2 tablespoons of water
1 tablespoon of white vinegar
Pinch of salt

Directions:
Peel the surface of the root’s skin off with a vegetable peeler, then chop it up into pieces. Grind it in a food processor with water, vinegar, and salt, making sure it is ground well. Strain out some of the water if the mixture is too liquidy, then add a tablespoon of white vinegar and a pinch of salt to the mixture. Pulse to combine. Using a rubber spatula, transfer the grated horseradish to a jar. It will keep for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator.

If you can’t find horseradish root, your next best bet is to head to the refrigerated section of your supermarket (the types on shelves are full of preservatives.) Just make sure the only ingredients are horseradish, vinegar, and salt.