Soups
Chili-Leaf, Goji and Chicken-Offal Soup
Traditionally nourishes the liver, supports vision and warms the stomach
Why people make this soup
Chili-plant leaves are not spicy at all, but they have a warming quality — just the thing for someone who has been overdoing cold, raw foods and now feels a chilly, uncomfortable stomach. Paired with goji and chicken giblets, the soup is also traditionally used to nourish the liver and support fading eyesight. Chili-plant leaves are available at Chinese or Asian grocers when in season.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people with a cold, bland-feeling stomach, and older folks worried about declining eyesight.
- A gentle, food-grade soup; the source notes it is fine for pregnant women.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Chili-plant leaves (la jiao ye): not spicy; traditionally warm the stomach and support the liver and vision. The source notes they are especially high in vitamins A and C among vegetables, and also rich in calcium.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): a classic ingredient traditionally associated with nourishing the liver and supporting the eyes.
- Chicken offal / liver (ji shi): traditionally paired with goji as an eye-supporting food.
- Ginger (sheng jiang): adds gentle warmth.
Ingredients (about 4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chili-plant leaves (la jiao ye) | ~150 g (4 taels) | remove stems, rinse |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | ~19 g (5 qian) | soak and rinse |
| Fresh chicken offal (xian ji shi) | 1–2 sets | rub with salt, rinse |
| Lean pork | ~150 g (4 taels) | sliced |
| Ginger | 2 slices | |
| Water | 4 bowls |
Method
- Remove the stems from the chili leaves and rinse. Soak and rinse the goji. Rub the chicken offal with salt and rinse. Slice the pork.
- Put the pork, ginger, chicken offal and goji into a pot with 4 bowls of water and bring to a rolling boil.
- Add the chili leaves and boil a further 5 minutes or so.
- Serve the soup with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Chili-plant leaves are especially good for a cold stomach and a bland taste in the mouth. They top the vegetables in vitamin A and C content — and vitamin A is particularly good for the cells of the optic nerve — and they are high in calcium too, so older folks may use chili leaves often as a food-therapy ingredient.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Ling): Can a pregnant woman drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, this soup is fine for pregnant women.
Published November 3, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
