Taro sweet soup with lotus seeds and red dates
Taro simmered until floury with lotus seeds, red dates and two slices of ginger — a simple, gentle winter sweet soup with no coconut milk or nuts.
- 1 hr 10 min
- Serves 4
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: People with allergic constitutions often sneeze and get a sensitive nose when cold air arrives at Minor Cold. Taro strengthens the spleen, lotus seeds and red dates support qi, and two slices of ginger chase off the cold; with no coconut milk or nuts it is simple, gentle and low in allergy risk.
Method
Prep 15 min · Cook 55 min- 1Soak the lotus seeds for 1 hour and stone the red dates. Wearing gloves, peel and dice the taro.
- 2Bring the water to the boil, add the lotus seeds and red dates and simmer for 30 minutes until the seeds are soft.
- 3Add the taro and ginger and simmer for 20 minutes more, until the taro is floury and the soup slightly thick.
- 4Stir in the slab sugar until dissolved and eat hot.
Cautions
- Cook taro thoroughly — the raw sap can itch the throat and skin; people with diabetes should use less sugar.
Chef's tips
- Wear gloves or rub a little vinegar on your hands when handling taro to stop the itch.
The TCM view
Taro is sweet, pungent and neutral, strengthening the spleen and supporting the body; lotus seeds are sweet, astringent and neutral, supporting the spleen and calming the heart; red dates are sweet and warm, supporting the middle qi and nourishing blood; fresh ginger dispels cold. A gentle tonic for the spleen and stomach.
