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Pork soup with cordyceps and fish maw

Rich, strengthening soup with cordyceps, Chinese yam and fish maw.

Traditional use

Time
Preparation 10 min (plus 3 hours soaking), cooking 2 h 30 min
Makes
4–6 people
Caterpillar fungus (cordyceps)

Cordyceps is regarded as a powerful restorative for anaemia, exhaustion and listlessness, and as support for immunity and the liver. With yam it is a strengthening soup for growing children and the elderly.

Ingredients

  • 100 g dried fish maw (for example from cod), rinsed
  • 3 litres water
  • 500 g lean pork, scalded with boiling water
  • 40 g Chinese yam (huai shan), rinsed
  • 10 cordyceps, rinsed
  • 1 tsp salt, or to taste

Step by step

  1. Boil the fish maw for 10 minutes, turn off the heat and let it soak covered for 3 hours; rinse and drain.
  2. Bring the water to the boil and add everything except the salt.
  3. Boil for about 20 minutes on high heat and then simmer gently for 2 hours uncovered.
  4. Season with salt.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

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

  • Caution

    Asia · Mushroom · № 147

    Caterpillar fungus (cordyceps)

    Ophiocordyceps sinensis (syn. Cordyceps sinensis)

    A fungus that parasitises caterpillars. Used in Tibetan and Chinese medicine for fatigue, lung complaints and low libido. Studies are small and there is no convincing evidence.

    Chinese medical traditions+2
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 635

    Chinese yam (shan yao)

    Dioscorea polystachya (syn. D. opposita)

    Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens spleen, stomach and lungs, helps regulate the hormone system in women and is said to lower blood sugar.

    Chinese medical traditions+2

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.