Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup Recipe
I had a headache a while ago, so my mother made me Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup . The taste was unforgettable, the chicken soup was delicious, the chicken was tender, and the unique flavor of Gastrodia elata was blended in. After eating it, I felt comfortable all over. Today, I will share the recipe of this Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup with you.
Why I love this recipe:
Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup is a famous Chinese medicinal recipe with a long history. It comes from the "Edible Fungus Diet Therapy" and is a representative of the medicinal diet for promoting qi and blood circulation. Speaking of its origin, Gastrodia elata has been a precious Chinese medicinal material since ancient times and is known as the "magic medicine for curing wind".
In ancient China, Gastrodia elata was favored by the royal family and nobles for its unique medicinal value. Legend has it that Cao Cao of the Three Kingdoms period took Gastrodia elata pills for headaches and his symptoms were relieved. In the Qing Dynasty, Gastrodia elata became one of the secret recipes of Empress Dowager Cixi for treating facial rheumatism.
Stewing Gastrodia elata with chicken not only makes the food rich and delicious, but also perfectly combines the medicinal effects of Gastrodia elata with the nourishing properties of chicken. This medicinal food has the effects of calming wind, promoting qi and activating blood circulation, and is especially suitable for people with weak bodies, postpartum blood deficiency and dizziness.
Nowadays, Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup has become a popular home-cooked delicacy. It not only retains the essence of traditional medicinal food, but also incorporates modern people's pursuit of healthy diet. I hope this classic medicinal food can also become a regular on your table and add points to your health!
Ingredients Needed and Substitutions
To make delicious Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup, you need the following ingredients:
Main ingredients:
Chicken: Chicken provides rich protein and delicious taste to dishes.
Gastrodia elata: Gastrodia elata has the effect of nourishing and maintaining health, which helps to improve the nutritional value and nourishing effect of dishes.
Red dates and wolfberries : The red color adds sweetness and rich nutrition, and has a nourishing and health-preserving effect.
Seasoning:
Ginger: Ginger has the effect of dispelling cold and warming the stomach.
Cooking wine: Cooking wine is used to remove fishy smell and enhance the flavor and taste of dishes.
Substitutes:
Cooking wine: You can use rice wine, yellow wine or sake.
Benefits of Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup
From a nutritional point of view, chicken is rich in protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Protein is an important component of body cells and can help us enhance immunity and repair body tissues. Moreover, the fat in chicken is mostly unsaturated fatty acids, which are good for cardiovascular health if eaten in moderation.
Gastrodia elata is the "treasure" ingredient of this dish. Gastrodia elata contains active ingredients such as gastrodin, which can calm the liver and calm the wind. For people who often suffer from dizziness and headaches, eating Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup may have a certain relief effect. For example, if the dizziness is caused by hyperactivity of liver yang, Gastrodia elata can help regulate it.
In addition, Gastrodia elata can dispel wind and dredge meridians. If you feel numbness in your limbs or have rheumatic pain, this dish may also help improve it. And in cold weather, drinking a bowl of steaming Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup will make you feel warm and comfortable.
Tips for Success
Fresh ingredients:
Make sure the chicken and Gastrodia elata are fresh. Fresh ingredients can ensure the best taste and nutritional value of the soup.
Proper food handling:
The chicken needs to be blanched in advance to remove blood and impurities, which will make the soup clearer and taste better.
Choose Gastrodia elata that is not rotten and has a firm texture. Wash it clean and slice it for later use.
Precise temperature control:
Use low heat during the stewing process, and it usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours to ensure that the nutrients of the chicken and Gastrodia elata can be fully dissolved in the soup.
INGREDIENTS
Main Ingredients
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·500g chicken
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·10g Gastrodia elata
Accessories
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·10 red dates
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·10g Wolfberry
Seasonings
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·10g Ginger
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·20ml Cooking wine
COOKING STEP
Step 1
Ingredients preparation: cut the ginger into slices, prepare a clean whole chicken, Gastrodia elata (dried Gastrodia elata needs to be soaked in advance, fresh Gastrodia elata needs to be washed and sliced), red dates (pitted), and wolfberries.
Step 2
Preparation: Put chicken, gastrodia elata, ginger slices, red dates and wolfberries into the pot in turn.
Step 3
Add water: Add enough hot water to the pot. The amount of hot water should cover the ingredients to ensure the stewing effect.
Step 4
Add cooking wine to remove fishy smell: Add appropriate amount of cooking wine, which can effectively remove the fishy smell of chicken and enhance the flavor of the soup.
Step 5
Cover the pot: Make sure the lid is properly closed to reduce water loss and heat loss during the stewing process.
Step 6
Slow-cook over low heat: Simmer over low heat for about 2 hours to allow the chicken to become soft and the nutrients from ingredients such as Gastrodia elata to be fully integrated into the soup. This way, the soup will taste delicious.
Serving Suggestions
Recommended pairing:
Staple food:
Rice: The Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup is rich and mellow, and it is a perfect dish for soaking rice. The rice absorbs the deliciousness of the chicken soup, and each grain becomes more delicious. When eaten with tender chicken and gastrodia, the taste is rich and satisfying.
Noodles: Thin noodles or handmade noodles are good choices. After cooking, put the noodles into the Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup . The noodles will absorb the rich soup and taste smooth and tasty. Paired with chicken and Gastrodia elata, it is full of nutrition.
Side dishes:
Cold-mixed black fungus: The refreshing cold-mixed black fungus is paired with Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup . The crispness of the black fungus can relieve the greasiness of the chicken soup and increase the freshness of the meal. The black fungus itself also has certain health benefits.
Stir-fried seasonal vegetables (such as broccoli, lettuce, etc.): These light vegetables can balance the rich taste of Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup , supplement the body with vitamins and dietary fiber, and make the whole dining process healthier and more comfortable.
Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup should be eaten while hot. Hot soup can better reflect the tenderness of the chicken, the unique flavor of the gastrodia elata and the deliciousness of the soup. Drinking hot soup can also make people feel warm from the inside out. It is especially suitable for enjoying in cold weather and has a good nourishing effect on the body.
Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup is nutritious, it is not advisable to consume it in excess because of its medicinal value. It should be consumed in moderation according to individual physical conditions and food intake to better exert its nutritious effect while avoiding physical discomfort caused by excessive consumption. If it is used as a dietary therapy, it is recommended to determine the amount and frequency of consumption under the guidance of professionals.
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