Astragalus Codonopsis Snakehead Fish Soup

Why people make this soup

In Chinese tradition there’s a saying that “long illness brings depletion” — when an illness drags on, it tends to wear at the spleen and stomach, leaving a person tired and listless, sallow, eating little, thin and weary. The traditional approach is to support recovery by strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi. This Astragalus, Codonopsis and Snakehead Fish Soup is traditionally regarded as supporting qi and the spleen and strengthening the body, making it a well-loved choice for those feeling weak and depleted after illness.

Method

1. Clean and gut the snakehead fish, then pan-fry in a little oil until golden.
2. Slice the lean pork and blanch it.
3. Simmer all ingredients in 1.8 L of water for about 1.5 hours, reducing to about 900 ml. Serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

The fish pictured is wild snakehead — recognizable by a head that is smaller relative to its body and by a brighter color than farmed fish. This soup is well suited to women after a natural childbirth. For those who had a caesarean, snakehead fish is best replaced with lean pork or chicken to avoid encouraging scar-tissue growth at the wound.