Snow fungus, goji berries and chicken soup – for calmness and positive energy (雪耳枸杞鸡汤)

Cantonese cuisine treasures its soups, offering a variety for every season and occasion. Whether to warm you up or cool you down, the key to a good soup is balancing its ingredients for the best nourishment. Snow fungus with goji and chicken is a perfect example, known to rejuvenate mind and body.

Snow fungus (white fungus) has long been valued for its health benefits. Historically, it was a prized remedy among royalty, believed to support internal organs, skin, and cognitive function, with potential anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties.

Goji berries have been used as a herbal remedy since the 1500s. Today, they are common in Chinese cuisine and are believed to benefit the liver, kidneys, and eyesight, and help with sore backs, joint pain, and fatigue. Many families add goji berries to soups and teas for these health benefits.

This soup is truly magical. It offers warmth, gentleness, and comfort. I hope you find it as delightful as it sounds.

Ingredients

• 2-3 pieces of chicken thigh, roughly sliced (approximately 250g)
• 1 snow fungus flower
• 1 tablespoon of goji berries
• 3 Chinese red dates, pits removed
• Salt to taste

Method

• Soak the snow fungus in warm water for 10 minutes, then remove the stem and break it into small pieces.
• In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients and add hot water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer with the lid on for about 1 hour.
• Just before serving, add salt to taste.