Chinese Culture >> Chinese Food Articles >> Chinese Soups
Chinese soups are beneficial for many reasons. When you cook
vegetables and meat in water, it releases a large amount of nutrients. By
ingesting this water, you can absorb many nutrients without absorbing too many
calories. This makes these dishes ideal for losing weight. For people who are
lactose intolerant, Chinese soups with bone are a great way to absorb calcium
ions that prevent or treat osteoporosis. The heat from some of these soups also
increases circulation near the windpipe and throat, making it ideal to treat
coughs and sore throats. Constipation is even relieved through the fiber content
of Chinese soups.
There are many different kinds of Chinese soups that you can make. If you think
you might enjoy something spiced with white pepper and red wine vinegar, Hot and
Sour Soup may be your choice. One of the most popular Chinese soups is Wonton
Soup. Won ton means floating cloud, and the wontons in the soup are thought to
look like clouds. Another popular soup that you'll find in nearly any Chinese
food restaurant is Egg Drop Soup, which is quite easy to make. Like Egg Drop
Soup, West Lake Beef Soup also uses eggs in its recipe, along with marinated
beef, cilantro, and green onions mixed in a seasoned broth.
You can make delicious dishes in a variety of ways. You can simmer, double boil,
or steam cook Chinese soups. Simmered soups are intended to boil at 212 degrees
Fahrenheit for about 2-3 hours. On the other hand, double boiling involves
cooking soup with heated water as opposed to a direct heat source. This form of
cooking takes up to 4 hours. Steam cooking uses steam to cook ingredients until
they become delicate; their cooking time can vary.
You can cook your Chinese soups in a single pot if you'd like; however using
certain cooking pots may make your job easier. For the best results you can use
a slow cooker, a Chinese double boiling jar, a thermal cooker, or a rice cooker.
The slow cooker is great for simmering soups. A Chinese double boiling jar is
basically a steaming pot for soups. A thermal cooker takes at least 6 hours to
cook soup ingredients, but the advantage is that it uses very little energy,
making it a favorite among environmentally conscious people. Rice cookers cook
rice found in soups along with other soup ingredients like congee.
About the Author
Soup is true comfort food. We have put together a collection of delicious soup recipes that will satisfy the hearty appetite; and that can be served for holidays, special occasions and everyday dining. Find the perfect potato soup recipe from our growing selection of the world's finest soups