Lily Bulb, Goji Berry and Abalone Soup

Why people make this soup

City life brings relentless pressure. When that pressure is never fully released, some people begin to experience a chronic state of tension — irrational fear, an inability to unwind, a sense of dread that seems out of proportion to what is actually happening. In Chinese medicine, this pattern is often linked to an excess of internal heat arising from yin deficiency: the cooling, nourishing aspect of the body is depleted, so the mind and emotions become overheated and restless.

Lily bulb (bai he) is one of the best-known food-therapy ingredients for a disturbed, overheated mind — gently clearing heart-fire and calming mental agitation. Goji berries (gou qi zi) nourish the liver and kidney yin, which is especially helpful for the dizziness and visual disturbances that can accompany a deficient constitution. Abalone (qing bian bao) is prized in Chinese cuisine and food therapy alike for its ability to nourish the blood, soften liver tension and clear internal heat. Together these three ingredients form a soup that is both genuinely delicious and traditionally meaningful for those who feel chronically wired, anxious or emotionally depleted.

Method

1. If using frozen abalone, thaw fully. Use a toothbrush to scrub the abalone clean, and trim away the intestinal tip at the opening. Leave it whole — do not cut before cooking.
2. Blanch the abalone briefly in boiling water to remove impurities, then drain.
3. Rinse the lily bulb petals and goji berries.
4. Place all three ingredients into a pot with 6–7 cups of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for about 2 hours until the abalone is tender and the broth is rich.
6. Remove the abalone, slice it, and serve alongside the soup. Both the broth and the solid ingredients are meant to be eaten.

Nourilo’s Tips

Cook the abalone whole and slice it only once the soup is ready. If you cut it before cooking, it will become tough. For family servings, you can add carrot and snow fungus to extend the pot. Small fresh abalone are available at fish counters and Asian grocers — cook them shell-on for additional benefit. This soup is also very well suited to people with diabetes.