Chinese Herbal Medicine Soup

Chinese Herbal Medicine Soup

A restorative broth simmered with dried herbs, red dates, and chicken for a deeply nourishing bowl.

Total 2 hr 50 min Makes 4 servings Calories 210/serving

Dietary

Wheat free, Dairy free, Nut free

This slow-simmered soup draws on traditional Chinese herbal ingredients like astragalus root, goji berries, and red dates to create a mellow, slightly sweet broth. Chicken bones and pork add body while the herbs infuse the liquid over several hours. It's typically served as a warming tonic during cooler months or after illness.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken bones or bone-in chicken pieces
  • 1/2 pound pork ribs, cut into pieces
  • 1 ounce dried astragalus root slices
  • 8 dried red dates, pitted
  • 2 tablespoons dried goji berries
  • 3 slices dried Solomon's seal (yu zhu)
  • 2 dried honey dates (mi zao)
  • 1 piece dried tangerine peel
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 carrot, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 piece fresh ginger, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Method

  1. Rinse the chicken bones and pork ribs under cold water to remove surface debris.

  2. Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the chicken bones and pork ribs for 3 minutes to remove impurities, then drain and rinse.

  3. Rinse the astragalus root, red dates, goji berries, Solomon's seal, honey dates, and tangerine peel briefly under cold water.

  4. In a 6-quart pot, combine the blanched bones and ribs, all herbal ingredients, carrot, ginger, and 6 cups of water.

  5. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low and simmer gently, covered, for 2 hours 30 minutes.

  6. Skim any foam or excess fat from the surface occasionally during simmering.

  7. Season the broth with salt to taste, then strain out the solids if desired before serving, or serve with the meat and dates included.

  8. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately.

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★ 4.1 (1)

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    Chinese Herbal Medicine Soup

    This slow-simmered soup draws on traditional Chinese herbal ingredients like astragalus root, goji berries, and red dates to create a mellow, slightly sweet broth. Chicken bones and pork add body while the herbs infuse the liquid over several hours. It's typically served as a warming tonic during cooler months or after illness.

    2 hr 50 min 4 servings 210 cal

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds chicken bones or bone-in chicken pieces
    • 1/2 pound pork ribs, cut into pieces
    • 1 ounce dried astragalus root slices
    • 8 dried red dates, pitted
    • 2 tablespoons dried goji berries
    • 3 slices dried Solomon's seal (yu zhu)
    • 2 dried honey dates (mi zao)
    • 1 piece dried tangerine peel
    • 6 cups water
    • 1 carrot, peeled and cut into chunks
    • 1 piece fresh ginger, sliced
    • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

    Method

    1. 1

      Rinse the chicken bones and pork ribs under cold water to remove surface debris.

    2. 2

      Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the chicken bones and pork ribs for 3 minutes to remove impurities, then drain and rinse.

    3. 3

      Rinse the astragalus root, red dates, goji berries, Solomon's seal, honey dates, and tangerine peel briefly under cold water.

    4. 4

      In a 6-quart pot, combine the blanched bones and ribs, all herbal ingredients, carrot, ginger, and 6 cups of water.

    5. 5

      Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low and simmer gently, covered, for 2 hours 30 minutes.

    6. 6

      Skim any foam or excess fat from the surface occasionally during simmering.

    7. 7

      Season the broth with salt to taste, then strain out the solids if desired before serving, or serve with the meat and dates included.

    8. 8

      Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately.