Polygonatum, Black Bean and Silkie Chicken Soup

This soup is traditionally suited to people experiencing dry throat, dry skin, and fatigue as the seasons change from summer to autumn. The file also notes it has additional relevance for those managing diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart conditions, provided their constitution tends toward depletion rather than excess.

In Chinese food-therapy thinking, polygonatum is part of a combination — alongside black soybeans and silkie chicken — that is traditionally associated with nourishing yin, moistening autumn dryness, and supporting hydration at a body-constitution level without being heavy or overly rich.

Preparation takes around 20 minutes and cooking takes about 1.5 hours, for a total time of roughly 1 hour 50 minutes. The finished soup yields approximately 1.5 L, serving 3 to 4 people.

Yes. The file notes that this soup is nourishing and appropriate for the whole family during the drier months.

The file advises sticking to a naturally smaller bird. Very large silkie chickens may have been raised with growth hormones, which defeats the purpose of choosing a quality ingredient.