Bird's Nest and Goji Berry Nourishing Soup
A classic Cantonese comfort soup featuring delicate bird's nest and sweet goji berries, simmered low and slow with premium soup ingredients for a silky, restorative broth.
Story
This traditional Cantonese double-boiled soup showcases two of the most prized ingredients in Chinese culinary tradition. The bird's nest dissolves into silky threads during the long simmering process, while the goji berries release their subtle sweetness and vibrant color. Patience is key—true nourishment comes from allowing all ingredients to mingle gently over several hours.
Ingredients
Dried bird's nest
8-10 grams
Goji berries
15 grams
Pork ribs or chicken thigh
300 grams
Dried scallops
3-4 pieces
Red dates
4-5 pieces, pitted
Clean water
1.8 liters
Instructions
1
Prepare the ingredients
Sort through the bird's nest and pick out any feathers or debris. Set aside. Rinse the goji berries and soak briefly. Pit the red dates if not already pitted.
2
Soak the soup base
Place dried scallops and red dates in a bowl of clean water. Let soak for 20 minutes to rehydrate and draw out their sweetness. Drain when ready to use. Do not soak the bird's nest—keep it dry until cooking time.
3
Blanch the protein
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the pork ribs or chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes. This removes impurities and any gamey flavors. Remove the meat, rinse briefly under cool water, and set aside.
4
Slow simmer the soup
Combine the blanched meat, soaked scallops, red dates, and fresh water in a large clay pot or stockpot. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2.5 to 3 hours until the broth turns rich and fragrant.
5
Add bird's nest and goji berries
About 15 minutes before serving, add the bird's nest and rinsed goji berries directly to the simmering pot. Let them cook through gently, allowing the bird's nest to dissolve into silky threads. Season lightly if desired.
