Chestnut, Cashew, Shiitake & Quail Soup

Why people make this soup

Nourilo spotted a box of dried chestnuts at the local grocer and immediately thought of this soup. Chestnuts have been called the “fruit of the kidney” in Chinese food culture for good reason — they are starchy, warming, and traditionally associated with strengthening the lower body, the lumbar region, and the bones. Paired with cashews (long used for their diuretic and nourishing qualities) and shiitake mushrooms (a good source of vitamin D), and simmered with small, lean quail birds, this soup makes a beautifully sweet broth that the whole family can enjoy — and that has particular value for older adults concerned about bone density and lower back weakness.