LOTUS ROOT & BLACK BEANS SOUP

Both the lotus roots and black beans nourish the blood.

Ingredients : lotus roots, black beans, red dates (without seeds), scallops, escargots, oysters, abalone, sun-moon mollusc, shark bones, longan.

Scrub the mud off the lotus roots and rinse.
Cut into sections.
Scald the pork and chicken breast in boiling water for 5 mins.
Rinse and drain. Bring water to boil.
Add all ingredients, cover pot and boil over high heat for 20 mins.
Bring heat to low and simmer for 3 hours.
Season with salt.

Cut cooked lotus roots into slices.  Heat cooking and sesame oil till boiling and mix in soya sauce.  Serve lotus roots with sauce.

Sun-moon mollusc enhance circulation of Qi and remove bruises.

Dried fish maw/bladder is rich in proteins and collagens.  Frequent consumption helps nourish the body and improve skin textures.  Blanch the fish maw in hot water before cooking helps to eliminate the fishy taste.