In Chinese medicine, the sum of the whole is more powerful than the parts. Often herbs are combined together which make them more effective. That is why herbs are most often prescribed in combination formulas.
Chinese medicinal cooking also takes advantage of combined ingredients for more powerful effects. The tonic soup Ching bo leung, is a mild tonic and is meant to improve overall health and energy. It has 7 herbs which are combined to boost the digestive energy and overall health.
Here is how to make this delicious soup.
Ingredients:
15 g yi yi ren
30 g bian xu
30g lian zi
30g qian shi
15g shan yao
30g bai he
10g long yan rou
marrow bones- optional
Directions: Place the ingredients in a large soup pot and cover with 8 cups of water or enough to cover 3 times their volume. Bring the soup to a boil and cook for 1-2 hours, until the liquid is reduced to half, season with salt or sugar to taste.
Optional: Traditionally, pork marrow bones are use. Beef bones also work well for flavor.
Photo: mswine
