Soups
Chestnut, Peanut, Kidney Bean and Carrot Soup
Traditionally used to nourish qi and blood and support bone strength
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu often reminds people who eat mostly vegetarian that a handful of nuts a day is a smart habit — when you skip meat, balance matters, or you can fall short on calcium and trace minerals. This pot of chestnut, peanut, speckled kidney bean and carrot is his easy answer: warm, filling and traditionally taken to nourish qi and blood and keep the frame sturdy.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people wanting to support bone strength, and those with a weak, sore lower back and knees from kidney-qi insufficiency.
- Contains beans and peanuts — people with gout should avoid it.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Chestnuts (li zi): traditionally associated with supporting the kidneys and strengthening the back and knees.
- Peanuts (hua sheng) and speckled kidney beans (hua yao dou): nourishing, protein-rich foods traditionally used to build qi and blood.
- Carrot, figs and red dates (gan sun, wu hua guo, hong zao): add natural sweetness and are traditionally used to nourish.
- Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): added to move qi and keep the bean-rich soup easy on the stomach.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chestnuts | ~150 g (4 liang) | Peeled |
| Peanuts | ~38 g (1 liang) | Soaked and rinsed |
| Speckled kidney beans | ~75 g (2 liang) | May swap for red beans or cashews |
| Carrot | 1 | Peeled, chunked |
| Red dates | 8 | |
| Dried figs | 4 | |
| Dried tangerine peel | 1 piece |
Method
- Peel the chestnuts. Peel and chunk the carrot. Soak and rinse the peanuts and beans.
- Put everything in a pot with 6 bowls of water.
- Simmer about 2 hours until reduced to 3–4 bowls.
- Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is rich and nourishing. The speckled kidney beans can be swapped for red beans or cashews. It is traditionally taken to help support bone health.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Zhen): If I can’t find carrot for this soup, what can replace it? And what else helps with calcium day to day? Bro Niu: Lotus root works in place of carrot. For everyday calcium, eat more dark leafy greens, figs, eggs, beans and bean products, milk, fish, shellfish and shrimp. Tiny fish like whitebait and dried smelt are especially high in calcium.
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Q (Chanmay): How much is “1 bowl of water” in ml, and what heat for 2 hours of cooking? My mother has a fracture — can she drink this soup? Bro Niu: One bowl is about 180 ml. For the 2-hour simmer, bring it to a hard boil over high heat, then drop to medium-low. Yes, your mother can drink this soup.
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Q (Jenny): Can people with gout drink this soup? Bro Niu: This soup has beans and peanuts, so it is not suitable for gout sufferers.
Published September 22, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
