Chinese Olive, Water Chestnut and Green Radish Soup

Why people make this soup

Chinese olives are a year-round find at Chinese or Asian grocers — easy to overlook, yet wonderfully kind to the throat. Traditionally they clear the lungs and ease the throat, generate fluids, and are even called the “fruit of the lungs and stomach.” Water chestnut adds its cooling, phlegm-clearing nature. Together — rounded out with green radish and figs — they make a soup that is kind to a dry-autumn cough and an unhappy throat.

Method

1. Crack the Chinese olives lightly with the flat of a knife.
2. Peel and wash the water chestnuts; peel and chunk the green radish; rinse the figs.
3. Cut the lean pork and blanch it.
4. Simmer everything in 2.4 L of water for 2 hours down to 1.2 L, and serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup is clear, moistening and tasty — fine for all ages. It is especially good for people who drink often, or who cook a lot over a gas stove.