Fresh Chinese Yam, Flower-Shiitake and Carrot Soup

Why people make this soup

Fresh Chinese yam is delicious and nourishing whether stir-fried or in soup, and it is traditionally used to support the spleen, the lungs and the kidneys. There’s an old saying that children “have liver to spare and never quite enough spleen”, so when a child is off their food or digesting poorly, Nourilo likes to pair fresh yam with carrot, shiitake and red dates — a gentle, child-friendly soup traditionally said to support the body, strengthen the spleen and ease food stagnation.

Method

1. Peel the fresh yam (wearing gloves) and the carrot, and cut both into thick strips. Soak the shiitake until soft. Pit the red dates.
2. Put everything in a pot with about 2.4 L of water and simmer about 1 hour, down to 1.2–1.5 L.
3. Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is clear and sweet, so children won’t refuse it. Fresh yam contains a mucilage that can irritate the skin, so it is best to wear gloves when peeling. You can add lean pork or fresh fish; if using fish, pan-fry it first to avoid a fishy smell.