Four Deity Pigeon Soup
It is said that the Four Deity Pigeon Soup was used by the imperial physician to regulate the Emperor Qianlong's spleen and stomach, relieving his fatigue. Emperor Qianlong bestowed this soup as the "Four Minister Soup," but it was later mistakenly called the "Four Deity Soup."
【Name】
Four Deity Pigeon Soup
【Ingredients】
- 200g fresh Huai Shan
- 30g Euryale Ferox (or 100g fresh)
- 30g Yun Ling
- 50g lotus seeds
- 2 pigeons
- 100g lean meat
- A few slices of ginger (for 3-4 servings)
【Instructions】
- Peel and cut the fresh Huai Shan into sections.
- Rinse and soak the Euryale Ferox, Yun Ling, and lotus seeds.
- Slaughter and clean the pigeons, then cut them into pieces. Clean and cut the lean meat into pieces.
- Blanch the pigeons and lean meat. Add 1500ml of water to the pot, then add all the ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat for 15 minutes, then simmer over low heat for 45 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
【Benefits】
Nourishes the spleen and stomach, strengthens the kidneys
【Nutritional Value】
Huai Shan, Yun Ling, lotus seeds, and Euryale Ferox are commonly used ingredients in soups. They have the effects of nourishing the spleen, benefiting the kidneys, dispelling dampness, and stopping diarrhea. Euryale Ferox, also known as "chicken head rice," is one of the "Eight Immortals in Water" and is a seasonal delicacy for the people of Suzhou in the autumn. In Guangdong, we usually use dried Euryale Ferox to nourish the spleen and solidify the intestines.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is important to "harvest in autumn and store in winter." In winter, everything is hidden, and our bodies should also follow this rhythm and consolidate. Therefore, using lotus seeds and Euryale Ferox can help to consolidate. In the cold winter, nourishing the body is always a priority, but before nourishing, it is necessary to regulate the spleen and stomach. You can try this "Four Deity Soup" combined with the warm-nourishing pigeon soup to achieve this goal.
Due to the astringent nature of lotus seeds, Euryale Ferox, and Huai Shan, people with constipation and bloating should consume them in moderation. Adding dried tangerine peel, which promotes digestion and eliminates fishy odors, can be beneficial.
