Bone Broth Soup (a la MommaYu)
It seems that winter has arrived here in beautiful Squamish BC. Wow did we ever have a beautiful fall. The leaves were so spectacular! Thank you mother nature!
One of my favourite things to do during the colder weather is to make Bone Broth Soup. This tasty elixir is commonly found on Chinese dining tables throughout the winter. As a soup, it is easily digested and absorbed by the body to help nourish and tonify our blood, bones, bone marrow, brain, hair, adrenals, and reproductive system.
For those of you in Squamish wondering where I pick up my ingredients for this soup - the answer is Nesters for the bones, Euphoria Natural Health or Health Food Haven for the herbs.
Below is my modern-day recipe that I have adapted from watching my mom make her tasty soup elixir :
4-5 Soup Bones (I use beef bones)
4-6 Chicken Feet
3-5 pieces Astragalus Root (黄芪 Huang Qi)
1-2 pieces Star Anise (大茴香 Da Hui Xiang)
3-5 pieces of Dates (大枣 Da Zao)
10-20 pieces of Goji Berries (枸杞子 Gou Qi Zi)
Feel free to add as you prefer : carrots, ginger, celery
Throw all ingredients in your biggest pot, generously cover all ingredients (fill pot to about ¾ full), and bring to a boil. Lower to a gentle simmer for at least an hour or until the marrow is all melted into your soup. Add salt to taste, toss some finely chopped scallions / green onions on top, and enjoy!
Of course, I can never make it quite like my mom does. I am looking forward to walking through my mom’s front door and smelling the sweet aroma of Bone Broth Soup a la Momma Yu during my yearly November visit next week!