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Chicken stewed with Job's tears

Stew with chicken, mushrooms, ginger and the nutty grain of Job's tears.

Traditional use

Time
Preparation 20 min (plus overnight soaking), cooking 2 h 10 min
Makes
6 people
Job's tears (coix seed)

Job's tears resemble pearl barley but are a different plant. According to tradition they drive dampness from the body, relieve arthritis and rheumatism and are nourishing for young and old.

Ingredients

  • 1 chicken, in pieces
  • 2.5 litres water
  • 30 g Job's tears (yi yi ren), soaked overnight
  • 5 slices fresh ginger, finely chopped
  • 300 g fresh mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 spring onions, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp rice wine
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Step by step

  1. Bring the chicken, water, Job's tears and ginger to the boil.
  2. Stew gently covered for 2 hours until the chicken is tender.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients, bring back to the boil and cook for another 2 minutes.

Tips

  • A dash of sesame oil in each bowl gives a nutty taste.
  • Garnish with coriander or parsley.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 645

    Job's tears (coix seed)

    Coix lacryma-jobi

    Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing grain that drives dampness from the body; for arthritis and rheumatism, diuretic, and to relieve a full chest and stomach ulcers.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 1

    Ginger

    Zingiber officinale

    Traditionally used for nausea and digestive discomfort; it has a warming flavor.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.