Ginkgo, Euryale Seed, Chestnut and Chinese Raspberry Pork Shin Soup

Why people make this soup

Many middle-aged and older people — especially women around menopause — deal with frequent urination and getting up often at night, often alongside feeling chilly, a pale complexion, and an achy lower back and knees. In traditional thinking this points to weak kidney qi and yang. Nourilo offers this ginkgo, euryale, chestnut and raspberry soup as a warming pot traditionally enjoyed to ease frequent and nighttime urination and a cold, sore lower back.

Method

1. Remove the cores from the ginkgo nuts; shell the chestnuts.
2. Soak and rinse the euryale seed and Chinese raspberry separately.
3. Cut the pork shin into chunks and blanch.
4. Put everything in a pot with 2.4 L of water and simmer about 1.5 hours down to 0.9–1.2 L; serve the soup with the ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

Chinese raspberry is a wild berry traditionally associated with supporting the kidneys, reining in urination and brightening the eyes. This soup is also traditionally valued for men feeling depleted and for women with related concerns. Remember to remove the ginkgo cores and keep the ginkgo modest.