Soups
Lotus Root, Red Kidney Bean and Pork Tailbone Soup
Traditionally nourishes blood and supports postpartum recovery
Why people make this soup
Bro Niu loves how forgiving this one is. Red kidney beans are traditionally valued for nourishing the blood, and paired with lotus root, sweet figs and pork tailbone they make a mild, naturally sweet pot that is neither cooling nor heating. In the food-therapy tradition it is a favourite for women recovering after childbirth — for blood that feels depleted and for supporting milk supply — though it is gentle enough for the whole family.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- New mothers in the postpartum period, and anyone who feels their blood is a little depleted.
- The whole family — it is mild, neither overly cooling nor heating.
- Bean soups can cause bloating, so soak the beans first (see tips).
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Red kidney beans (hong yao dou): traditionally associated with nourishing the blood and supporting the body’s repair and renewal.
- Lotus root (lian ou): valued for nourishing and harmonising; a classic gentle soup vegetable.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): add natural sweetness and are associated with supporting digestion.
- Pork tailbone (zhu wei gu): lends a clean, sweet body to the broth.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus root (lian ou) | 1 catty (~600 g) | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Red kidney beans (hong yao dou) | 2 taels (~75 g) | Soaked, rinsed |
| Dried figs (wu hua guo) | 6 | |
| Pork tailbone (zhu wei gu) | 1 | Blanched |
| Water | ~10 bowls | Reduce to 4–5 bowls |
Method
- Peel the lotus root and cut it into chunks.
- Soak and rinse the red kidney beans.
- Blanch the pork tailbone to remove scum.
- Put everything in a clay pot with about 10 bowls of water and simmer roughly 2 hours, down to 4–5 bowls. Serve the soup together with the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
With any bean soup, soak the beans in water for a few hours first — it cuts down on the bloating and gas. This soup is naturally sweet, neither cooling nor heating, so the whole family can drink it.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Kelly): Can I use black beans with lotus root and pork tail instead? Bro Niu: Yes, you can use black beans in place of the red kidney beans.
-
Q (Ivy): Can I use canned cooked red kidney beans or chickpeas for the soup? Same effect? Bro Niu: Canned red kidney beans or chickpeas are fine once in a while, but because they contain preservatives, if you eat them often it is best to cook dried beans yourself.
Published July 21, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
