RECIPE:Cook this nutritious and comforting sakura chicken herbal soup

Photo: 慧宏 叶

This soup addresses spleen and kidney qi deficiency, as well as blood deficiency. Cordyceps strengthens the kidney and lungs, codonopsis root strengthens the spleen, while longans and red dates improve blood quality. The soup also aids in building up a person's strength and immunity.

SAKURA CHICKEN HERBAL SOUP

Recipe by Ms Gee Swee Sien, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner at Thomson Chinese Medicine (I12 Katong)

INGREDIENTS

10g cordyceps, washed

10g dried longans

4 to 6 sticks codonopsis root (dang shen), soaked in hot water for 15-20min

4 to 6 red dates

1 sakura chicken, skin removed

1 slice ginger

500ml hot water

A pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS

1 Wash and blanch the chicken in hot water. Rinse chicken again before setting it aside.

2 Rinse codonopsis root with hot water.

3 In a large pot, bring all the ingredients to the boil, then simmer over medium heat for 2 to 2 1/2h. Season with salt and serve.

This article was first published in The Straits Times, February 16, 2016.