Chinese Yam, Fox Nut and Fresh Fish Soup

Why people make this soup

Some mums have told Nourilo their little ones sleep with eyes half-open, sleep poorly, wake up with sweat-soaked clothes, seem listless and tired — and wonder why. In Chinese tradition, a “spleen-weak” child often shows poor appetite, a sallow complexion, tiredness, sleeping with eyes ajar, and spontaneous or night sweats. So caring for a child’s spleen and stomach really matters. This Chinese yam and fox nut fresh fish soup is traditionally used to strengthen the spleen, support the kidneys and qi — helpful for spleen-weak children with a bloated belly, loose stools, a sallow thin frame, lots of sweat, or sleeping with eyes ajar.

Method

1. Clean the small fish. Pan-fry lightly until fragrant, then place in a fish soup bag.
2. Soak the Chinese yam and fox nut until soft.
3. Put everything into the pot with about 2.4 L of water.
4. Simmer about 2 hours down to roughly 1.2 L. Drink the soup and eat the yam and fox nut.

Nourilo’s Tips

The whole family can enjoy this soup. The fish pictured is a small red-snapper type, traditionally said to support the spleen and nourish the blood — inexpensive and tasty. If you can’t find it, red threadfin, leatherjacket or any other fresh small sea fish will do.