Chinese Yam, Euryale, Poria and Quail Soup

Why people make this soup

Some children have a weak spleen with poor digestion and absorption, so they look sallow and thin, tire easily and just won’t gain weight — which understandably worries parents. Nourilo’s everyday approach is gentle, nourishing food therapy that builds up without being greasy or drying — yam, euryale, poria, hyacinth bean, lotus seed and the like, simmered with some meat. Quail is nicknamed the “ginseng of animals”: it is traditionally said to nourish the five organs gently, neither drying nor cloying, making it well suited to children with a weak spleen.

Method

1. Clean the quail and blanch to remove scum.
2. Rinse and soak the remaining ingredients.
3. Combine everything in a pot with 1.8 L of water and simmer about 2 hours down to roughly 750 ml — one day’s serving. Best to drink the soup and eat the solids.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup also suits people who are weak after illness, and the whole family can have it. As a regular household wellness soup, you can double the ingredients. Frozen quail is sold at larger supermarkets.