Confinment Soup: Lotus root soup with red beans

As the old Chinese saying goes " Confinement well done, your troubles thereafter are none." Here are some confinement soup recipes believed to increase milk supply:


Lotus root soup with red beans
What you need:
1/2 lotus root with 2 or 3 sections
100g red beans (or adzuki beans)
2 honey dates
1 litres chicken stock
salt and pepper to taste
What you do:

1) Wash and soak the red beans overnight. Drain before use
2) Clean lotus root and rinse well, slice and set aside (soak in water with a splash of vinegar to keep it from browning)
3) Bring chicken stock to a boil; add the red beans and cook at high heat for 15 minutes
4) Lower the heat and simmer for 1 hour
5) Add lotus root and honey dates. Continue to simmer for 2 hours
6) Add salt and pepper to taste before serving.