Yen Can Cook ~ Chinese Yam & Lotus Seeds Soup 山药莲子汤

September 20, 2022 Choi Yen 2 comments

For Cantonese people, soups are wonderous tonics. There are soups for growing kids, soups for elders to stay strong, soups to expel dampness, soups to strengthen the lungs, the list goes on!

The soups I’ve shared on the blog so far are all for general health and good for the whole family, and today’s recipe is another one that fits the bill.

Chinese yam, Shān Yào (山药) in Mandarin and nagaimo in Japanese, is a one of the species in yam family. It has a slightly slippery, slimy texture that lessens after cooking (think lady finger). The dried Chinese Yam is called Huái Shān(淮山), it is used as a medicinal Chinese herb and it’s popular for its potential health benefits for all ages, body types, and health conditions.

Like Chinese Yam, the dried lotus seeds also used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is believed to improve digestion, sleep quality, good for heart and kidney health.

Ingredients (Serve: 3-4)

400g pork ribs/pork soup bones/chicken

800g-1kg Chinese yam, peeled and cut into large chunks

50g lotus seeds

50g dried lily

6-8 red dates, de-seeded

2 slices ginger

2500ml water

salt to taste

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Step 1: Put the pork ribs/pork soup bones/chicken into a pot of water and bring to boil, to remove blood and impurities. Remove, drain and set aside.

Step 2: Put all the ingredients (except salt) into a pot and add in water until enough to immerse all the ingredients. Bring to boil and lower the heat and let the soup simmer for 2-3 hours.

Step 3: Season with salt and serve.