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CHINESE WILD YAM AND CHICKEN SOUP

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese wild yam is credited with tons of health benefits since it is good at tonifying kidney and spleen. Modern pharmacology finds that it helps improve digestive system, lowers blood sugar and blood pressure, inhibits oxidation and promotes urination. Chinese yam dishes are very popular thanks to their great taste, mild tonic properties and high nutritional value. However, please pay attention when handling fresh Chinese wild yam. It is extremely slimy and its mucilage contains plant alkaloid, which is prone to cause allergy symptoms like itch, upon excessive contact. The flesh will oxidize and turn brown when exposed to air, so soak them in water right after cutting. Doing this will also help get rid of some of the slimy stuff.
You can choose to use black chicken or silkie as it is considered more nourishing.

Ingredients:

Chinese yam also contains healthy antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • 1/2 a chicken - chopped into pieces 
  • 400 g Chinese wild yam 
  • 3 slices ginger 
  • 1 tbs wolfberries
  •  6 red dates - pits removed 
  • 4 dried Chinese mushrooms, soaked 
  • 5 cups water 

  1. Remove yam skin with a peeler. Chop into pieces and soak in water. 
  2. Blanch chicken in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove, rinse and set aside. 
  3. Place all ingredients in a pot. Bring to boil then reduce heat to simmer for 2 hours covered (I used an electric double boiler and set it to 2.5 hours). 
  4. *Optional: Season with salt (I usually don't add salt in my soups).
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