Soup Name:  Easy Cream of Corn and Egg Drop Soup

Traditional Chinese Name: 玉米湯 (yù mǐ tāng) 
 
Introduction:
This is one of the easiest soups to make and the ingredients are easy to find and pending your creativity, you can make it hearty and tasty for your kids.  My dad used to make this all the time and I still love it! 

What Ingredients are required?

1 can of corn (creamed)
2 whole chicken eggs
1 L of water

Optional additions:

1/4 pound of ground meat (pork or chicken)
1 cup of frozen vegetables (peas, corn, carrots)

How do I prepare it? 

1. Boil water with can of creamed corn
2. In a separate  bowl, crack open and scramble chicken eggs
3. Add additional ingredients as necessary
4. When boiling, slowly stream in scrambled eggs while stirring soup
5. Boil for another 5 minutes
6. Serve!

Any benefits?

Extremely easy to make and diversify
Neutral soup ideal for anyone’s consumption

Any precautions?

• I normally don’t recommend using corn starch as a thickener, it serves no real purpose other than to thicken

Ingredient Name:  Cream of corn, cream-styled corn

Did you think that we didn’t take the easy way out of making soups?  Well think again!  I love this ingredient as much as my children and when child rearing gets tough, so do my options.  Keeping this goodie around your house is definitely a good idea for rainy days or days you just don’t have the time to make good old Chinese “old fire” soup.

What is this?

• Canned corn (simple as that) - cream styled
• Processed corn

How do I prepare it?

• Open can and pour directly in soup bowl

Where can I buy this?

Most supermarkets will carry this item

What is the cost

• $1-2 CAD per can

Any benefits?

• Pre-canned corn makes for an easy task in making soup
• Creamed corn is extremely tasty

Any precautions?

• Canned food is processed food that can often contain high amounts of sodium and preservatives, so use in moderation

Soup Name:  Fuzzy Melon with Corn in Pork Bones Soup

Traditional Chinese Name: 节瓜玉米豬骨湯 (jié guā yù mǐ zhū gǔ tāng) 
 
Introduction:
A mildly sweet soup that is rich in vitamins and nutrients.  It can be eaten as a meal because of the hearty variety of vegetable assortment and is easy to make. 

What Ingredients are required?

1 pound of fresh pork bones 
2 fresh fuzzy melons
2-3 fresh corn
1 foot of fresh chinese yam
5 dried string figs
2-3 L of water
1 teaspoon of salt (to marinate the pork)

How do I prepare it? 

1. Pre-marinate the pork bones overnight with the salt (although this step is not necessary)
2. Boil your soup water
3. Blanch pork bones in a separate pot of boiling water
4. Wash, cut and cube fuzzy melon (without skin) and corn 
5. When the soup water boils, add all the ingredients together
6. Boil on high for thirty minutes, reduce to a simmer boil for another 1.5 hours
7. Serve and enjoy!

Any benefits?

Helps detoxify the body
Neutral soup for any consumption

Any precautions?

• Consume soup as soon as possible.  Fuzzy melons tend to sour if left out too long.

Ingredient Name:  Glass noodles, Bean vermicelli, Bean threads, cellophane noodles, green bean vermicelli, crystal noodles or other variations

Traditional Chinese Name: 粉絲 (fěn sī )

What is this?

• Bean vermicelli is a type of noodle product made from starches (usually mung or green bean)
• It’s white and transparent and hard in texture because it is often sold as a dried product
• Glass noodles are in various dishes, soups, stews, or appetizers and come in various shapes, sizes and lengths
• Different from rice vermicelli as this one is made usually from beans and not rice

How do I prepare it?

• Prior to use, rinse in warm water and soak completely in water for 2 hours

Where can I buy this?

This is available in most Asian supermarkets as prepackages
Western supermarkets are also sometimes known to carry this item

What is the cost

• Very cheap.  3 packs cost $5 HKD.
• A pack is pictured above

Any benefits?

• Excellent source of fiber and contains minimal fat and sodium
• An extremely versitile produce that is easy to use and cook with

Any precautions?

• Be sure you’re purchasing genuine bean vermicelli
• It is known that some manufacturers use corn starch to produce this to reduce cost (and can contain lead or bleaches)
• Caution for people who have gout as high in bean content products can irritate gout symptoms

References:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellophane_noodles

Soup Name:  Chayotes and Corn with Seabed Coconut in Pork Broth

Traditional Chinese Name: 合掌瓜玉米海底椰豬骨湯 (hup jeung gwa yù mǐ hai di ye zhū gǔ tāng) 
 
Introduction:
A neutral soup that aids with cough and cold symptoms, it’s mildly sweet and brings moisture to the body.  Rich ingredients make for a rich broth.  Baby and pregnant friendly, it’s a great soup!

What Ingredients are required?

1 pound of fresh pork bones 
15 fresh chestnuts
3-4 fresh chayotes
2-3 fresh corn
5-6 fresh seabed coconuts (or Coco de Mer)
1 piece of dried tangerine peel
2-3 L of water
1 teaspoon of salt (to marinate the pork)

How do I prepare it? 

1. Pre-marinate the pork bones overnight with the salt (although this step is not necessary)
2. Boil your soup water
3. Blanch pork bones in a separate pot of boiling water
4. Wash chestnuts and boil for 10 minutes (or until shell is soft)
5. Peel chestnuts while they are still hot (use gloves or towel)
6. Wash, cut and cube chayotes (with skin) and corn 
7. Wash and soak seabed coconut and tangerine peel
8. When the water boils, add all the ingredients together
9. Boil on high for thirty minutes, reduce to a simmer boil for another 2 hours
10. Serve and enjoy!

Any benefits?

Helps with cough symptoms
Neutral soup ideal for children and pregnant woman
Chestnuts help add moisture to body
Low in fat soup with high protein value in its content

Any precautions?

• Be sure to purchase seabed coconut from a reliable source
• If intended for helping cough symptoms, don’t use carrots (as carrots will enhance coughing)

Soup Name:  Chrysanthemum Drink or Chrysanthemum Tea Drink

Traditional Chinese Name:菊花茶 (jú huā chá) or 菊花水 (jú huā shuǐ)
 
Introduction:
Chrysanthemum is a classic Chinese flower that is used in teas, drinks and desserts.  It’s easy to make yourself and is a can be a refreshing coolant in the hot summer days or drink hot as a tea with or without sugar.  It’s got a very distinct taste and is highly fragrant.

What Ingredients are required?

4-5 tablespoons of dried Chrysanthemum
1 piece of rock sugar (add amount as desired)
5 cups of water

How do I prepare it?

1. Rinse Chrysanthemum in warm water
2. Add to cold water and boil
3. When boiling add rock sugar
4. Boil for 30 minutes
5. Can add ice or cool to be served as a cold drink!

Any benefits?

Helps reduce heatiness and is a cooling drink
Can help reduce acne (cool the skin and body)
Aids in digestion and is often taken with meals
Also said to be be helpful in curing blood pressure, coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, heart colic and arteriosclerosis

Any precautions?

• Not be consumed by women who are pregnant - especially in first trimester as it’s a cooling food

Ingredient Name:  Chrysanthemums, Mums, Chrysanths

Traditional Chinese Name: 菊花 (jú huā)

What is this?

• A perennial flower plant that has many variations (different colours such as white, pinks, yellows) in various shapes and sizes
• First cultivated in China for herbal properties
• Used in teas, drinks, desserts and various other Chinese dishes
• Often purchased dried for consumption
• Has a very distinct taste and scent

How do I prepare it?

• Rinse in warm water but don’t soak as this will start bringing out the flavours of the flower
• Add immediately to boiling water or hot water for teas

Where can I buy this?

This is available in most Asian supermarkets as prepackages
Also available in Chinese herbals stores
You can purchase Chrysanthemum tea bags in Western Supermarkets

What is the cost

• 1 medium-sized bag cost $6 HKD
• Extremely affordable

Any benefits?

• Said to be a cooling food
• Can help reduce acne (cool the skin and body)
• Aids in digestion and is often taken with meals
• Also said to be be helpful in curing blood pressure, coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, heart colic and arteriosclerosis

Any precautions?

• Not be consumed by women who are pregnant - especially in first trimester as it’s a cooling food

References:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum

Soup Name:  Apple and Corn in Chicken Soup

Traditional Chinese Name:蘋果玉米雞湯 (píng guǒ yù mǐ jī tāng)
 
Introduction:
This is a family favourite.  With apples and corn, the soup is sweet to taste and refreshing.  It’s a neutral soup that’s ideal for pregnancy, confinement (with adding dragon’s eyes, Chinese Yams and a slice of ginger) and for children.  It can serve as a meal and packed full of vitamins. 

What Ingredients are required?

1 fresh whole chicken
4-5 whole apples 
2 fresh corn
1 fresh whole lily bulb
1 dried tangerine peel
2-3 L of water

How do I prepare it?

1. Prepare chicken for soup
2. Begin boiling your soup water
3. Boil a separate pot to blanch chicken
4. Peel and wash lily bulbs
5. Wash and cut corn and apples
6. Wash and scrape tangerine peel
7. When water boils, add all the ingredients together
8. Boil for at least 2 hour2
9. Serve and enjoy!

Any benefits?

• Pregnancy, confinement and child friendly
• Helps reduce and eliminate coughs and phlegm
• Sweet and fresh to the taste
• Excellent source of Vitamins and hearty to eat

Soup Name:  Water Chestnuts and Pork Spring Soup

Traditional Chinese Name: 馬蹄豬湯 (matí zhū tāng)
 
Introduction:
With Spring just around the corner, this simple and hearty soup is a perfect way to welcome in the warming weather.   This soup, along with a simple bowl of brown rice, served as dinner for my whole family, including our two-year old daughter.   Water chestnuts add a delicious sweetness, a crunchy texture and creates a “cool” soup perfect for the season.   Add in some hearty beans and vegetables to round out the meal.

What Ingredients are required?

1 pound of fresh pork meat (or pork bones)
3 carrots
8 chinese mushrooms
1 handful of dried black beans
15 - 20 pieces water chestnuts
2-3 L of water

How do I prepare it?

1. If using pork bones, pre-marinate the pork with the salt and let it sit for at least an hour (overnight is best)
2. Begin boiling your soup water
3. Boil a separate pot to blanch pork
4. Soak black beans and chinese mushrooms
5. Chop chinese mushrooms into quarters or slices
6. Wash, peel and cut carrots
7. When water boils, add all the ingredients together
8. Boil for at least 1 hour (longer if you wish the snow fungus softer)
9. Serve and enjoy!

Any benefits?

• Water Chestnuts are a relatively cooling food and can help relieve coughs
• Pork contains many nutrients (including 6 essential vitamins) and is a good source of iron, zinc, Vitamin B6 and protein
• Black beans are an excellent source of cholesterol-lowering fiber, iron, manganese and high quality protein
• An easy, hearty and nutritious soup!

Soup Name:  Ching Bo Leung

Traditional Chinese Name: 清補涼 (qīng bǔ liáng)
 
Introduction:
This traditional power house Chinese soup is unique in that it can be drank as a salty soup or sweet soup or even served cold as a drink.  It is built on a combination of Chinese herbs with its recipe passed from generation to generation.  Ching Bo Leung is said to improve the overall health and aids in digestion.

What Ingredients are required?

5-6 pieces of soloman’s seal
5-6 pieces of dried Chinese yam
2 tablespoons of uncooked barley (Job’s Tears)
10-12 dried longans
1 dried lily bulb
1 tablespoon of dried lotus seeds
1 tablespoon of fox seeds
4-5 pieces of snow fungus (optional)
1 pound of fresh pork shank (optional)
2-3 fresh fuzzy melons (optional)
2-3 L of water

How do I prepare it?

1. Pre-marinate the pork with the salt and let it sit for at least an hour (overnight is best)
2. Begin boiling your soup water
3. Boil a separate pot to blanch pork
4. Soak herbs in warm water for an hour
5. Peel and cut fuzzy melons
6. When water boils, add all the ingredients together
7. Boil for at least 1 hour (longer if you wish the snow fungus softer)
8. Serve and enjoy!

Any benefits?

• Aids in digestive system
• Ideal for overall body health

Any precautions?

• Use Chinese herbs sparingly when serving to children