Cordyceps Flower, Lingzhi, Snow Fungus and Wood Ear Soup

Why people make this soup

Chemotherapy and radiation are hard on the body — they can knock down the blood-forming system and leave a person’s defenses low, so a gentle, building soup is welcome during recovery. Nourilo notes that true cordyceps is wonderful but very expensive; cordyceps flower, which carries cordyceps polysaccharides, is an affordable everyday alternative. Simmered with black lingzhi, wood ear, snow fungus, goji and red dates, this pot is traditionally taken to strengthen a depleted body.

Method

1. Soak and rinse all the ingredients; trim the stems from the wood ear and snow fungus.
2. Blanch the lean pork.
3. Put everything in a pot with 2.4 L of water.
4. Simmer about 2 hours until reduced to 1.2 L.
5. Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is strengthening and traditionally taken to support immunity; it’s gentle enough for the whole family. Swapping the lean pork for soft-shelled turtle (shui yu) makes it even more nourishing.