Soups
Codonopsis Peanut Quail Soup
traditionally associated with replenishing qi and blood, and supporting postnatal recovery
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu has a personal fondness for codonopsis root — he once bought a whole kilogram of freshly harvested, unprocessed dang shen from a farmer working the fields in Xinjiang. Covered in earth, the roots looked rough and humble, yet when simmered they produced a soup of extraordinary sweetness and fragrance. That experience deepened his appreciation for this unassuming herb. In traditional Chinese medicine, codonopsis is considered a gentler, more accessible cousin of ginseng: it is said to strengthen the spleen and lungs, nourish blood and promote the production of body fluids. This soup is especially valued for people who feel constantly tired, look pale, have low appetite, or — for new mothers — find their milk supply insufficient. The peanuts add a creamy richness while also being associated with blood nourishment, making this a soup that feels as comforting as it is purposeful.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People who fatigue easily, feel short of breath, or have a pallid complexion
- New mothers with low milk production (this combination is traditionally considered galactagogue)
- Children with poor appetite or slow development (substitute tai zi shen / Prince’s ginseng for codonopsis for children)
- Frail or elderly individuals wanting gentle everyday nourishment
- Do not drink during a cold or fever
- Pregnant women may use this soup, but keep codonopsis to 3 qian and avoid strongly warming additions
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Codonopsis root (dang shen): A widely used tonic herb in Chinese food therapy, traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen and lung qi, nourishing blood and supporting energy levels. More moderate in nature than ginseng, and generally considered suitable for long-term use.
- Raw peanuts with red skin (hua sheng): The red skin of the peanut is particularly prized in food therapy for its association with blood nourishment. Peanuts also support the spleen and are considered beneficial for milk production.
- Red dates (hong zao): A fundamental blood-nourishing ingredient, used here to harmonise the other herbs and add natural sweetness.
- Fresh ginger (sheng jiang): Warms the middle, supports digestion, and helps moderate the soup’s richness.
- Quail (an chun): In traditional food therapy, quail is associated with nourishing all five organ systems and is considered more tonifying than standard chicken — yet lighter and less greasy.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Codonopsis root (dang shen) | 5 qian (~19 g) | Soak and rinse |
| Raw peanuts, skin on | 2 liang (~75 g) | Soak and rinse |
| Red dates, pitted | 6 pieces | |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Quail | 2 birds | Cleaned and blanched |
| Water | 8 bowls (~1.6 litres) |
Method
- Clean the quail thoroughly; blanch briefly in boiling water, then rinse with cold water and set aside.
- Pit the red dates.
- Soak and rinse the codonopsis root and peanuts.
- Place all ingredients into a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium-low simmer and cook for 2 hours.
- Serve warm. Drink the soup and eat the quail meat, peanuts and dates.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup has a naturally sweet, clean flavour that children and adults enjoy alike. It is especially beneficial for malnourished or slow-developing children; use Prince’s ginseng (tai zi shen) instead of codonopsis for young children, as it is gentler. For those who cannot find quail, silkie chicken, organic chicken, duck or pigeon all make reasonable substitutes — though quail’s broad nourishing action across the organ systems is hard to replicate exactly. Do not drink this soup during a cold or fever.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (黄小姐): Can I substitute lotus seeds or chestnuts for the peanuts? Bro Niu: Yes, either lotus seeds or chestnuts work well as substitutes. Fresh lotus seeds are available now — remove the bitter centre and the flavour is wonderful.
-
Q (scy): When making the soup, should the quail skin be removed? Bro Niu: Removing the skin is best — the soup will be less oily that way. You can add about three quail per pot for a family serving. The quail can be simmered whole after cleaning; cutting into pieces is also fine.
-
Q (匿名读者): Can a pregnant woman (19 weeks) drink this soup? What can replace quail if I cannot find it? Bro Niu: This soup is suitable during pregnancy. Quail nourishes all five organ systems; if unavailable, organic chicken, silkie chicken, duck or pigeon can be used as substitutes. You can also add ingredients like Chinese yam (huai shan), goji berries, lotus seeds, lily bulb, snow fungus or almonds.
Published August 2, 2016 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
