Soups
Tomato Vegetable Soup
Traditionally enjoyed as an antioxidant-rich soup to support the heart and vessels
Why people make this soup
Tomatoes come in every color — red, orange, yellow, green, even near-black — and all of them are appealing. The lycopene in tomatoes is associated with supporting healthy cholesterol balance, and it is better absorbed once the tomatoes are cooked. As a strong antioxidant it is traditionally valued for cardiovascular wellness. Heart trouble used to be a 50–60s concern, but modern lifestyles have shifted it younger — so alongside avoiding overwork, it’s worth eating well. This bright, tasty tomato vegetable soup is a delicious everyday choice.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People who want a wholesome vegetable soup to support the heart and vessels and who are mindful of the “three highs” (blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids). Naturally meat-free; suitable for young and old.
- Generally gentle and family-friendly. If you have a medical condition, please see a doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Tomatoes (fan qie): Rich in lycopene; cooking improves absorption, and it is traditionally valued as an antioxidant for cardiovascular wellness.
- Potatoes, corn, carrot, cabbage: A naturally sweet vegetable base that makes the soup hearty and pleasant.
- Red kidney beans (hong yao dou): Add body and plant protein.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes (fan qie) | 2 | Peeled, cubed |
| Potatoes (shu zai) | 2 | Peeled, cubed |
| Corn (su mi) | 1 cob | Husked, cut into chunks |
| Carrot (hong luo bo) | 1 | Peeled, cubed |
| Cabbage (ye cai) | ~75 g (2 liang) | Washed, cut |
| Red kidney beans (hong yao dou) | ~37.5 g (1 liang) | Soaked, rinsed |
Method
- Wash, peel and cube the tomatoes, potatoes and carrot.
- Husk and chunk the corn; wash and cut the cabbage; soak and rinse the red kidney beans.
- Put everything in a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Simmer about 1.5 hours, reducing to 4 bowls. Eat the soup with the vegetables.
Bro Niu’s tips
This soup is clear, sweet and tasty, suitable for young and old. Add some shiitake or black wood-ear and it becomes a “rainbow vegetable soup” traditionally enjoyed to nourish the five organ-systems.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Chancarol): Can someone with G6PD deficiency eat red kidney beans? Bro Niu: People with G6PD deficiency can eat red kidney beans; it’s better to eat less of hyacinth bean and the broad-bean type.
- Q (Sabdy): I have an irregular heartbeat and take medication; lately my blood pressure has been around 145/80–90, though it used to be normal. After a CT with contrast dye it’s stayed at about 145/90 — why? Bro Niu: Sometimes nervousness at the doctor’s raises readings. You can juice fresh celery and apple, or steep hawthorn (shan zha), chrysanthemum and pan-roasted cassia seed (jue ming zi), 1 tablespoon each, as a tea — traditionally associated with supporting healthy blood pressure. Try it for a week.
Published July 27, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
