Black-Eyed Pea, Peanut, Papaya & Chicken-Feet Soup

Why people make this soup

Many mothers hope to breastfeed, and the Chinese kitchen has long leaned on a handful of “milk-supporting” foods to help. Papaya, peanuts and dried figs are the classics; combined with snow fungus, red dates, black-eyed peas and chicken feet, they make a delicious, easy-to-drink soup. It’s especially comforting for mothers who’ve been eating a lot of rich, warming food, traditionally supporting the spleen and stomach, the skin, and smooth digestion.

Method

1. Peel and seed the papaya and cut into chunks; soak the snow fungus and remove the stem; blanch the chicken feet; rinse the rest.
2. Put everything in a pot with about 3 L of water and simmer 2 hours down to 1.2–1.5 L. Eat the soup with the ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is rich in gelatin, and gelatin-rich foods are traditionally valued for supporting the body’s resilience. It makes a fine everyday family wellness soup.