Fresh Yam, Black Wood Ear, Apple and King Oyster Mushroom Soup

Why people make this soup

Getting one’s pre-pregnancy figure back is something many new mothers think about — but the challenge during the postpartum period is finding ways to support the body without going so cold or restrictive that recovery suffers. Nourilo developed this recipe while writing a postnatal food-therapy cookbook: he wanted a soup that was genuinely enjoyable (naturally sweet and light), that could help move along the digestive system and support gentle detoxification, and that would not be too cooling for a recovering mother. This plant-heavy soup is built around high-fibre ingredients that promote healthy gut motility — black wood ear fungus, fresh yam, corn, carrot, and king oyster mushroom — all of which are also low in fat and cholesterol. The apple adds a pleasant fruity note and contributes quercetin and fibre. Even mothers who are breastfeeding can drink it.

Method

1. Soak the dried black wood ear fungus in cold water until fully rehydrated; remove the hard stem and cut into smaller pieces if large.
2. Peel the fresh Chinese yam and carrot; cut into thick strips.
3. Wash and cut the apple into chunks (skin on).
4. Slice the king oyster mushrooms thickly.
5. Place all ingredients in a pot with 1.8 L of water.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium-low simmer for about 2 hours until the liquid reduces to approximately 900 ml.
7. Serve warm. Eat the solids along with the broth — particularly the black wood ear, which has the highest food-therapy value in this soup.

Nourilo’s Tips

King oyster mushrooms (ji tui gu) have a naturally low cholesterol content and a pleasantly meaty flavour — they stand in beautifully for meat in this soup and pair well with the other high-fibre ingredients to promote gut motility and toxin clearance. The figure-supporting effect of this soup comes from this combined fibre action, not from any single ingredient. The black wood ear is particularly important to eat (not just drink the broth); its dietary fibre has the most direct effect on clearing the intestines. For those who prefer a more savoury version without mushrooms due to allergies, a little lean pork can be added instead.