CautionAsia · Herb · № 303
Achyranthes root (huai niu xi)
Achyranthes bidentata
Traditionally attributed effects: promotes circulation, liver tonic, pain-relieving.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Fish ball soup with spinach and niu xi
Homemade fish balls, prawns and spinach in an 'ox knee' broth.
Traditional use
- Time
- Preparation 30 min, cooking 25 min
- Makes
- 4 people
Achyranthes root (huai niu xi)Niu xi is regarded as a tonic for women with menstrual complaints and as a liver and kidney tonic for the elderly, for pain in the lower back and hips. Fish and prawns make the soup nourishing.
Ingredients
- 15 g niu xi root
- 1.5 litres water
- 300 g white fish fillet, finely chopped
- 1 egg
- 1½ tsp lotus root powder or cornflour, in 4 tbsp water
- 125 g fresh prawns, peeled and cleaned
- 125 g spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Step by step
- Boil the root covered in 500 ml of the water for about 15 minutes until half remains; strain and keep the broth.
- Mix the fish, egg and the lotus root powder or cornflour mixture well.
- Bring the rest of the water to the boil. With wet hands, shape balls of a heaped tablespoon and slide them into the water; scoop them out when they float.
- Cook the prawns and spinach in the same water and season with soy sauce, salt and pepper.
- Pour in the herb broth, add the balls and let them steep for 2–3 minutes.
Tips
- Also good with white radish, pak choi or mushrooms, and with shellfish instead of prawns.
- Garnish with coriander.
Registry
Herbs in this recipe
Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.
- Caution
Cultures and traditions
Where the herbs come from
The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.