If you are a foreigner who
has spent any time living in China and experienced dining with Chinese
colleagues and friends around the big circular restaurant tables, then you have
noticed that Chinese people pay more than a lot of attention to what they eat. When
you attempt to say that you are full to the gills, just plain stuffed, and
overwhelmed with the big variety of dishes, they insist unrelentingly that
eating even more food is good for your health, your good looks, and will be
better for you.
This is no accident, since from very ancient times Chinese people traditionally believed in the medicinal value of food, and that food and medicine shared the same origin. Chinese divide all food on the basis of Yin and Yang, meaning Cold and Hot, the balance of which is so essential to achieving harmony in body and soul!
If you are a big fan of Chinese cooking and want to preserve or even improve your health through very simple and economical cooking at home, I have a recipe fit for a king recipe that I want to share with you!
This recipe is known as an "anti-aging” dish. It contains antioxidants and vitamins, plus
melanin, which can improve your health and prolong your life! The ingredients listed below also have
medicinal properties of their own, but feel free to experiment by adding other
ingredients of your choice for a bit of originality!
Delicious
Black - Bone Chicken Soup
Ingredients:
l 1 regular black chicken
l 5g ginseng root
l 10 red dates
l 3 tbsp. gouqi berries (枸杞)
l 2 pieces of old ginger
l 2 tbsp. garlic
If you want to have a
tastier, creamier soup then add:
l 20 g Chinese yam
l 1 carrot
Seasonings:
l 2 tsp. salt
l 5 tbsp. rice wine
Directions:
1. Wash and clean the black
chicken
2. Parboil on gentle heat
for 5 minutes
3. Place the black chicken,
Chinese yam/ carrot, gouqi berries, red dates, ginger & rice wine into a
ceramic double boiler bowl (you may find them in any Asian Supermarket or
borrow from your Chinese neighbors!)
4. Add in enough water to
cover the ingredients
5. Cover the BOWL and seal
with cling wrap
6. Bring the pot to a boil
and lower heat to simmer for 2-5 hours
Remove from heat and add seasonings
before serving! Serves 4 people.
Note: One black chicken costs about 20 to 22 RMB. The Chinese yam, carrot, and dates will cost you around 10 RMB! The total cost of the soup should be about 30 to 35 RMB! Bon Appétit! Zhu Nin Wei Kou Hao!
