Burdock, Chinese Yam, Snow Fungus & Quail Soup

Why people make this soup

Burdock root has a faint herbal aroma reminiscent of ginseng, earning it the popular nickname “vegetable ginseng.” Long used in Japanese and Chinese cooking, it has attracted modern research interest for its high folic acid content (associated with helping prevent abnormal cell changes), its rich inulin fibre (which feeds beneficial gut bacteria), and its notable effect on blood sugar, blood fats, and blood pressure. When selecting burdock, the thinner variety with a darker skin tends to be more fragrant and flavourful than the thicker, pale version. Nourilo leaves the skin on when making this soup — the skin contains significant amounts of iron and fibre, so a vigorous scrub rather than peeling is the right approach.

Method

1. Scrub the burdock root skin thoroughly with a rough cloth or brush under running water — do not peel. Cut into large segments.
2. Soak the snow fungus in cold water for 20–30 minutes until fully expanded. Trim away the tough yellow/brown base. Tear into smaller pieces.
3. Defrost the quail, clean thoroughly, and blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes; drain and rinse.
4. Rinse all remaining ingredients; soak the tangerine peel briefly.
5. Place all ingredients in a pot with 2.4 L of water.
6. Bring to a boil, reduce to a medium simmer, and cook for 90 minutes until reduced to about 1.2 L.
7. Serve — drink the soup and eat the solid ingredients together.

Nourilo’s Tips

The skin of fresh burdock root is where much of its iron and fibre concentrate, so resist the urge to peel it — just scrub it well. If you are making a cold salad or stir-fry with burdock and must peel it, immediately submerge the peeled pieces in lightly salted water to prevent browning. When selecting burdock, look for the thinner, darker-skinned variety — it is more aromatic and has a more noticeable ginseng-like quality. Fresh burdock is available at Chinese or Asian grocers and many supermarkets. Burdock root tea (simply slicing dried burdock and steeping it) is excellent for protecting the voice — Nourilo recommends it specifically for teachers, singers, and anyone who uses their voice professionally.