Healing and Nourishing Home-Style Stomach and Chicken Soup A Traditional Chinese Recipe

Embarking on a culinary journey that blends tradition with health, here's a delightful recipe for Stomach and Chicken Soup, a classic Chinese remedy known for its nourishing properties. This home-style soup is not only delicious but also packed with health benefits, making it a perfect addition to any mealtime.

Ingredients:

- 1 whole free-range chicken (about 4 pounds)

- 4 dried Chinese mushrooms (shittake or lingzhi)

- 4 slices of ginger

- 1 tablespoon of rock sugar

- 1/2 cup of goji berries

- 1/2 cup of red dates

- 1/2 cup of dried longans

- 1 whole star anise

- 4 pieces of dried tangerine peel

- 1 whole pork stomach (cleaned and trimmed)

- 1 tablespoon of cooking wine

- 8 cups of water

- Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Begin by washing the chicken thoroughly. Remove any excess fat or skin, and make a few shallow cuts along the flesh to help the flavors penetrate.

2. Soak the Dried Ingredients: In a separate bowl, soak the dried mushrooms, goji berries, red dates, and dried longans in warm water for about 30 minutes. This will rehydrate them and make them more tender.

3. Prepare the Pork Stomach: Rinse the pork stomach thoroughly under cold water. Soak it in a mixture of water and baking soda for 10-15 minutes to help remove any impurities. Rinse again and then boil the stomach in water for about 10 minutes. Remove from the water, cut into bite-sized pieces, and set aside.

4. Cook the Soup: In a large pot, bring the 8 cups of water to a boil. Add the chicken, ginger slices, star anise, and dried tangerine peel. Reduce the heat and let the chicken simmer gently for about 1 hour, or until the meat is tender.

5. Add the Remaining Ingredients: Once the chicken is cooked, add the rehydrated mushrooms, goji berries, red dates, and dried longans to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 30 minutes.

6. Add the Pork Stomach: Add the cooked pork stomach pieces to the soup and let it simmer for another 15 minutes.

7. Season and Serve: After the pork stomach has absorbed the flavors, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt. You can also add a tablespoon of cooking wine during the last few minutes of cooking to enhance the flavor.

8. Serve Hot: Serve the Stomach and Chicken Soup hot, ideally with some steamed white rice on the side to soak up the rich broth.

Health Benefits:

Stomach and Chicken Soup is a traditional Chinese remedy that is believed to have several health benefits:

- Nourishes the Stomach: The pork stomach is rich in nutrients and is thought to help with digestion and improve stomach health.

- Boosts Immunity: The combination of chicken, mushrooms, and goji berries is known to boost the immune system and fight off colds and flu.

- Improves Energy: The soup is also believed to increase energy levels and vitality.

- Rich in Antioxidants: The goji berries and red dates are high in antioxidants, which help protect the body against free radicals.

Enjoy this comforting and healing Stomach and Chicken Soup, a true representation of the culinary artistry and health wisdom of traditional Chinese cuisine.