Lotus Seed & Duck Soup (Xianlian Yageng)

Main Ingredients

• Duck breast meat 250g
• Fresh lotus seeds 100g
• Fresh mushrooms 100g
• Luffa (angled loofah) 75g
• Cooked ham 25-50g
• Egg white 1
• Cooking wine 2 tbsp
• Salt 3g
• MSG 2g
• White pepper powder 2g
• Cornstarch 15g
• Ginger slices 6g
• Spring onion sections 12g
• Stock or water as needed

Steps

1. Lotus seeds: Shell fresh lotus seeds, briefly boil in water to remove the thin membrane, and remove the core with a toothpick. If using dried seeds, soak in warm water for 2-3 hours until soft. Duck meat: Dice duck breast (or boneless leg) into green bean-sized pieces. In a bowl, mix with egg white, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt to coat evenly. Accessories: Peel and dice luffa; clean and dice fresh mushrooms; dice cooked ham.

   

2. Bring water to a boil, scatter the coated duck pieces into the boiling water and blanch briefly (about 30 seconds to 1 minute), then remove (do not overcook). Place the blanched duck pieces in a steaming bowl or clay pot with cooking wine, spring onion sections, ginger slices, a little salt, and stock. Steam for about 30-40 minutes until the duck is fully cooked and flavorful. Remove and skim off the surface oil.

   

3. Heat a wok with a little oil, add cooking wine to enhance aroma. Add stock (or water), the steamed duck pieces (with their liquid), diced ham, lotus seeds, and mushrooms. Bring to a boil. Season with salt, MSG (optional), and white pepper. Add diced luffa and cook until just tender (about 1-2 minutes). Thicken with a light cornstarch slurry to create a slightly creamy consistency. Transfer to a large bowl and serve hot.

   

TCM Notes

Duck Meat: Contains approximately 15-18g protein and 15-20g fat per 100g. Cool in nature, it nourishes yin, tonifies deficiency, and promotes diuresis to reduce swelling. Rich in nutrients, it cools and reduces dryness, making it ideal for those who cannot tolerate warm-tonic foods. Lotus Seeds: Fresh lotus seeds contain approximately 4.9g protein and 12g carbohydrates per 100g. They nourish the heart, benefit the kidneys, strengthen the spleen, and astringe the intestines. Modern nutrition highlights their richness in phosphorus, potassium, and iron. Fresh lotus seeds are especially糯 (sticky), fragrant, and smooth. Mushrooms: Rich in protein, dietary fiber, and various vitamins, they enhance immune function. Luffa: Rich in vitamin C and B vitamins, it clears heat, cools blood, and detoxifies. Overall: Approximately 300-400 kcal per serving (depending on oil用量), 30-35g protein – a high-protein, low-fat cooling tonic.

Suitable for：Those with summer heatstroke, dry mouth, thirst, and poor appetite Those with yin deficiency with internal heat, insomnia, night sweats, and irritability Those with spleen deficiency with dampness, fatigue, and loose stools Those needing to clear heat, reduce internal fire, and calm the mind General population for summer-autumn wellness maintenance Elderly and children with yin deficiency symptoms

Not suitable for：Those with spleen-stomach cold deficiency – duck is cold in nature; those with abdominal cold pain, clear diarrhea, and stomach cold should limit consumption Those with unresolved external pathogens, colds, or fevers – consuming tonics during illness may trap pathogens inside Those allergic to any ingredient – avoid completely Those with cold-type dysmenorrhea – duck's cooling nature may worsen cold-blood stasis pain Those with cold deficiency constitution – use with caution