Lizardfish (Suo Luo Yu) and Hairy Gourd Soup

Why people make this soup

Lizardfish (suo luo yu) makes a beautifully sweet, savoury stock. They’re small and fiddly to clean, so a good fishmonger who guts and scales them is a treasure. Simmered with hairy gourd, this soup is traditionally given to children whose digestive damp-heat leaves them irritable, fussy and restless — it’s a clean, nourishing bowl the whole family can enjoy.

Method

1. Clean the lizardfish, sear lightly in a little oil, then place in a fish-soup pouch (this keeps the broth clear).
2. Peel and chunk the hairy gourd; slice and blanch the pork.
3. Put everything in a pot with 2.4 L of water and simmer 1 hour down to 1.2–1.5 L. Drink the soup and eat the gourd.

Nourilo’s Tips

Hairy gourd is traditionally said to clear dryness and heat from the organs; this soup is nutritious, tasty, and suits the whole family for regular drinking. Always sear the lizardfish first and bag it in a soup pouch so the broth doesn’t turn cloudy. You can also vary it with papaya in place of the gourd, or add carrot, corn, fox-nut (qian shi) or red dates.