Beetroot, Frog, Tomato and Carrot Soup

Why people make this soup

Bright red and richly coloured soups have a special place in Cantonese food therapy — the traditional view is that red, orange, and yellow pigments in vegetables signal the presence of provitamin A (beta-carotene), which the body converts into vitamin A for eye and skin health. Beetroot is worth seeking out for this purpose: the leaves can also be used in the pot, and the resulting soup is a gorgeous deep crimson, naturally sweet, and far more complex than anything from a packet.

Paired with tomato, carrot, and red dates for sweetness and further carotenoid content, and with frog meat (a prized ingredient in Cantonese cooking for its delicate, lean protein), this soup becomes something genuinely special. Traditional food therapy associates frog meat with nourishing yin and promoting circulation — it is also considered a “guiding ingredient” that helps carry the nutrients from the other ingredients upward to the face and eyes. If frogs are not available or preferred, lean pork works perfectly well as a substitute.

Method

1. Peel the beetroot and cut into thick slices; if the leaves are available, cut them into sections and add to the pot. Peel and cut the carrot into chunks. Cut the tomato into chunks. Pit the red dates.
2. Clean and prepare the frog (or pork), then blanch briefly in boiling water to remove any impurities.
3. Place all ingredients in a pot and cover with enough water (approximately 2.1–2.4 L, or about 1.5 litres).
4. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium simmer and cook for about 1 hour.
5. Serve and enjoy both the soup and the ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

This is a family soup — young and old can all drink it. The beetroot stays pleasantly firm even after an hour of cooking, which surprises many people. Red dates can easily be swapped for Chinese black dates (nan zao) for a richer, deeper flavour and a slightly more nourishing effect. If you cannot find or prefer not to use frog, simply use lean pork instead — the soup is still excellent. For those with floaters (flying spots in vision), Nourilo also recommends a daily cup of goji berry and mulberry tea as a long-term support.