Cordyceps Pork Soup - Chinese Herbal Recipes. Cordyceps ( dong chong cao 冬蟲草 ) is regarded to be an excellent rejuvenator, providing the best remedy for anaemia, body fluid loss, excessive fatigue and body aches. It is also used for strengthening the immune system, reducing the effects of aging, promoting longevity, treating lethargy and improving liver functions. In this recipe, it is combined with Wild Yam ( huai shan 淮山 ) to further enhance immune response. Highly nutritious, this soup helps to improve the overall health, and is beneficial to everyone, in particular growing children and the elderly.
100 gm dried cod maw, or other fish maw, rinsed
3 litres (12 cups) water
500 gm lean pork, rinsed and scalded with boiling water
40 gm Wild Yam ( huai shan 淮山 ), rinsed
10 Chinese Cordyceps ( dong chong cao 冬蟲草 ), rinsed
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Add the dried fish maw and cook for about 10 minutes, then cover and remove from the heat. Allow the fish maw to
steep for 3 hours, then remove, rinse and drain.
2. Bring the water to a boil in a stockpot. Add all the ingredients, except the salt, and cook over high heat for about 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to
low and simmer uncovered for 2 hours. Season with the salt and remove from the heat. Serve the soup hot in individual serving bowls.