Double Boiled Soup - Cordyceps

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Cordyceps is believed to have a variety of benefits to our body when consumed such as increasing our immunity, having anti-aging effects, fighting respiratory infections, and improving liver function.

For those who do not know what Cordyceps is, you can read up more about it and its benefits here (More About Cordyceps). 

Was blessed by my in-laws with some cordyceps which sat in my freezer for the longest time, because I had no idea how to cook it. Thankfully, I had my 2nd aunt to the rescue who taught me what to do and for those who will like to cook a nutritious double boiled cordyceps soup for yourself and your family, but are unsure of how to do it, here is a simple 3 ingredient method to start off with.

Just 3 ingredients: Chicken, Wolfberries and Cordyceps

Double Boiled Cordyceps Soup (serves 4)

Ingredients:

1 deskinned chicken breast

12-20 cordyceps (wash away the dirt from the cordyceps gently)

30-40 wolfberries (washed) - I like to add more to increase sweetness and flavor of the soup, it is also good for improving eyesight!

Salt (for taste)

4 chinese rice bowls of water (4 cups or 1 litre)

Note: The proportion of cordyceps to water is 3-5 cordyceps to one bowl of water. 

Method:

1. Rub a little salt on chicken breast and rinse salt away. Slice it thickly
2. Place sliced chicken breast, washed cordyceps and wolf berries in inner pot of the double boiler
3. Fill outer pot with water up to the maximum marking(if using electric double boiler), or about 3/4 of the height of your inner pot (if using stove).
4. Simmer over low heat for 3-4 hours if using a stove. Remember to check the water level and top up if it is too little. If you are using an electric double boiler like me, use the cordyceps soup function or simply double boil it for 2 hours.
5. Add salt to taste
6. Before serving, you can skim the foam that was released from the chicken, or run the soup through a sieve. If you are lazy like me, just let it settle to the bottom of the pot and gently ladle the soup into bowls. =p

Extra note: The cordyceps can be eaten if you do not want to waste it. I have never dared to do so!

Enjoy!

For reference:

My trusty double boiler

Add all ingredients into inner pot