Golden Carrot, Sugarcane and Water Chestnut Soup with Cilantro

Why people make this soup

Winter and spring are the seasons when chickenpox and measles tend to circulate among children. While vaccination has greatly reduced the risk, some children still catch these illnesses. In Cantonese food-therapy tradition, this simple, naturally sweet soup has long been used by families to help children feel more comfortable during recovery — the thinking is that the combination of golden carrot, sugarcane, water chestnut and fresh cilantro helps “clear heat and guide the rash outward.” The soup tastes pleasant and mild, so even a sick child is unlikely to refuse it.