Lotus Root, Black Bean & Dried Octopus Pork Rib Soup

Why people make this soup

Many new mothers find that milk supply is affected by uneven nutrition, stress, or insufficient sleep after delivery. Traditional food therapy views this soup as a gentle way to nourish the body during the postpartum period. The combination of lotus root, black beans, and dried octopus has long been prepared in Cantonese households as a wholesome meal to support recovery. Nourilo has shared this recipe because it doubles as a flavourful, everyday soup that the whole family can enjoy — not just the new mother.

Method

1. Peel the lotus root, wash thoroughly and cut into chunks.
2. Soak the black soybeans in water for 30 minutes, then rinse well.
3. Pit the red dates.
4. Rinse the dried octopus, then blanch it together with the pork ribs in boiling water for a few minutes; drain and set aside.
5. Place all ingredients into a pot with 2.4 L of water.
6. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a medium-low simmer for about 1 hour 30 minutes.
7. Serve the soup with the solids — the lotus root and black beans in particular are worth eating.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is fragrant and lightly sweet — a pleasure to eat, not a medicine to endure. Besides supporting the new mother, it is a good source of calcium, iron, and phosphorus, and is associated in traditional food therapy with nourishing the blood and supporting skin health. Drinking 2 to 3 times a week during the postpartum period is considered sufficient.

If lotus root is unavailable in your area, Nourilo suggests substituting chayote (he zhang gua) or fuzzy melon (jie gua) — both are thought to support the spleen and add nutrition to the broth.