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.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for the whole family — a general-wellness soup for anyone who wants to support eye health and complexion
• Those with a mild cold or light throat irritation can still drink this soup — just add an extra slice or two of ginger to warm it up
• During menstruation, this soup is safe to drink; frog meat has an activating effect on circulation, which is not a concern in moderate amounts for a regular family soup

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Beetroot (tian cai tou): Rich in iron, folate, and plant nitrates; the deep red pigment (betalain) is associated with blood-building and cardiovascular support; the leaves are equally nutritious and can be added to the pot
• Tomato (fan qie): Rich in lycopene and provitamin A; associated with skin health and heat-clearing
• Carrot (gan sun): One of the richest plant sources of beta-carotene; traditional food therapy associates it with supporting the eyes and skin
• Red dates (hong zao): Traditionally associated with nourishing blood and supporting the spleen; add natural sweetness without refined sugar
• Frog (tian ji): In traditional food therapy, considered to nourish yin, activate blood circulation, and act as a “guiding ingredient” to direct nutrients toward the face — the fine cellular structure of frog meat is thought to help carry pectin from the vegetables toward the skin; lean pork is an equally valid substitute
• Ginger: Warms the soup, reducing any overly cooling tendency

Ingredients (4–5 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Beetroot	1 medium	Peeled, cut into thick slices; leaves cut into sections if available
Tomato	2 pieces	Cut into chunks
Carrot	1 medium	Peeled, cut into chunks
Red dates	8 pieces	Pitted
Frog	~600 g	Cleaned and blanched; or substitute lean pork
Fresh ginger	2 slices

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 7–8 bowls, 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.

Bro Niu’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), Bro Niu also recommends a daily cup of goji berry and mulberry tea as a long-term support.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (reader): Can I replace the red dates with goji berries? Bro Niu: Yes, you can substitute with about 3 qian of goji berries — no problem at all.

• Q (reader): Can I use Chinese black dates (nan zao) instead of red dates? Bro Niu: Yes, you can substitute with nan zao — no problem.

• Q (reader): If I do not want to use frog, can I substitute with lean pork shin (zhu zhan)? Bro Niu: Yes, lean pork shin works perfectly well as a substitute. (In fact, in traditional food therapy, frog acts as a “guiding ingredient” — its strong cellular vitality is thought to help draw the pectin from the other ingredients upward toward the skin and face. But lean pork produces a very good soup too.)

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Published March 7, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.