Partridge, Papaya and Fresh Lily Bulb Soup

Why people make this soup

More and more new mothers choose to breastfeed, knowing how much it benefits both baby and mother. But some find their milk comes in short, and a few nourishing, milk-supporting soups can help with that. Papaya, figs and pork trotter are all traditionally associated with encouraging milk; paired here with partridge, lily bulb and apricot kernels, the soup also takes on a tonifying, lung-moistening quality that’s a real comfort for women recovering after childbirth.

Method

1. Clean the partridge and blanch it briefly in boiling water; rinse the fresh lily bulb.
2. Put all the ingredients into a pot with 2.4 L of water.
3. Simmer for about 2 hours until reduced to roughly 1.2 L.
4. Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup also suits regular smokers and anyone with a dry, scratchy throat. If someone in the family dislikes the taste of papaya, you can swap it for snow fungus (xue er) and carrot instead.