Chayotes, Chestnuts and Longan Vegetable Soup

Soup Name: Chayotes, Chestnuts and Longan Vegetable Soup

Traditional Chinese Name: 合掌瓜栗子素湯 (hup jeung gwa lì zi sù tāng)

Introduction:

This naturally sweet soup is rich in flavors and oil free.  It’s a refreshing soup to drink in the summer and can be served chilled as it’s really quick and easy to make.  I really like that it’s meat free because you can taste the chestnuts, the longans and all the vegetables.  You can add various vegetables such as onions, green radish or tomatoes.

What ingredients are required?

3 fresh chayotes, quartered
3 fresh carrots, peeled and quartered
2 fresh corn, quartered
20 fresh chestnuts, peeled
20 dried longans
2 L of water

How do I prepare it?

  1. Soak the longans in warm water for 10 minutes
  2. Start boiling your soup water
  3. In a separate pot of boiling water, boil the chestnuts on high for 5 minutes
  4. Drain chestnuts of boiling water and with gloves or a towel, peel the chestnuts of both the outer and inner skin
  5. Wash and prepare chayotes, carrots and corn
  6. When soup water boils, add all the ingredients together
  7. Boil on high for 30 minutes
  8. Salt as necessary (taste it first!)

Any benefits?

  • Oil free soup
  • Can be served hot, warm or chilled
  • All natural ingredients
  • Naturally sweet soup, so no sugar is required
  • Excellent source of Vitamin C
  • The soup is overall rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants

Any precautions?

  • Beware to purchase the dried longans from a reputable source

 

Whole Chicken and Vegetable Soup


Soup Name:
Whole Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Traditional Chinese Name: 雞菜湯 (jī cài tāng)

Introduction:

I don’t know if it’s classified entirely as a Chinese soup, but it’s delicious!  It’s similar to this version of Chicken and Veggies Soup, except it’s a more “old fire” soup because it’s boiled for much longer.  There are no herbal additives or Chinese medicine included in this soup, but it is super sweet and extremely tasty.  The Chinese often use a whole chicken, including the feet, heart, liver, neck and everything in between.

1 fresh whole chicken
3 large carrots
2 fresh corn
1 small stalk of celery
2 potatoes
1 onion (fresh)
2 tomatoes

2-3 L of water

How do I prepare it

  1. Blanch fresh chicken in a pot of boiling water
  2. Boil your soup water
  3. Prepare all the vegetables by washing and cutting into edible portions
  4. When water boils, add all the ingredients together
  5. Boil on high for 30 minutes and reduce to simmering for another 1.5 hours
  6. Serve and enjoy!

Any benefits?

  • Easy to make and delicious
  • Neutral soup that is ideal for any drinker
  • Excellent source of fiber and nutrition

Any precautions?

  • The use of fresh chicken in the soup can create an oily film on the surface of the soup.  Use an oil strainer to remove any excess oil before serving.

See also:

Lentils

Ingredient Name: Lentils

Chinese Name: 扁豆  (biǎn dòu)

What is this?
  • Seeds of the lentil plant – which normally grow to about 15 inches in height
  • Lentil seeds are found and grown in pods
  • One of the most ideal foods for vegetarians and has been a staple diet in most Indian cuisine
  • There are over 10 different types of lentils available – with varying colours and sizes of seeds
  • Lentils are often used to prepare soups and dishes all over the world

How do I prepare it?

  • Lentils bought at supermarkets are prepackaged for soups normally have their husks removed
  • Rinse the lentils in warm water and soak for 10 minutes
  • Add directly to boiling water of your soup

Where can I buy this?

  • In most supermarkets, lentils are available in a variety of form and packaging
  • You can also purchase lentils at speciality asian stores in bulk

What is the cost?

  • A portion of 80g of lentils cost around $2 HKD

Any benefits?

  • Lentils contai 26% protein and are highly nutritious and filling
  • Lentils are also the best source of iron as a vegetable at 60% by weight
  • They are also high in dietary fibre, Fibre, Vitamin B1 and minerals

Any precautions?

  • The lentil plant is very prone to a variety of diseases, viruses and parasites
  • Be sure to purchase your lentil from a reputatble source

Additional Information?

  • Store dried lentil seeds in a dry and non-humid area
  • They can store up for 6 months in this condition

References