Chinese Food

Introduction

Day lilies, scientifically known as Hemerocallis fulva, are not just beautiful ornamental flowers but also a nutritious and versatile ingredient in Chinese cuisine. Their delicate flavor and nutritional benefits make them a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike. One of the most popular ways to enjoy day lilies is in soup, where their subtle taste can shine through without being overpowered by other ingredients. In this article, we will explore three delightful day lily soup recipes that are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply enjoying a cozy meal at home.

Recipe 1: Day Lily and Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (about 1.5 kg), cleaned and cut into pieces
• 200g fresh day lilies, stems removed and flowers washed
• 4 slices of fresh ginger
• 3 green onions, tied into a knot
• 6-8 dried red dates, soaked and seeds removed
• 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
• Salt to taste
• White pepper powder to taste
• Water (enough to cover all ingredients)
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preparation of Chicken:
   Begin by preparing the chicken. Rinse the chicken pieces thoroughly under cold running water to remove any blood or impurities. Pat them dry using paper towels. This helps to ensure a cleaner and clearer soup.

2. Blanching the Chicken:
   In a large pot, bring enough water to a rolling boil. Add the chicken pieces and blanch them for about 3-4 minutes. This step helps to remove any excess fat and impurities from the chicken, resulting in a clearer broth. Remove the chicken pieces with a slotted spoon and set them aside. Discard the blanching water.

3. Cooking the Soup Base:
   In the same large pot, add fresh water (enough to cover all the ingredients) and bring it to a boil. Add the blanched chicken pieces, ginger slices, tied green onions, and soaked red dates. Pour in the Shaoxing wine to enhance the aroma and flavor of the soup.

4. Simmering:
   Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer gently for about 1.5 to 2 hours. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during this time to ensure a clean and clear broth.

5. Adding Day Lilies:
   After the chicken has cooked through and the broth has developed a rich flavor, add the prepared day lilies. Continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes, allowing the day lilies to soften and infuse their delicate flavor into the soup.

6. Seasoning:
   Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and white pepper powder as needed. Remember, the natural sweetness of the day lilies and red dates should complement the chicken, so be cautious with the amount of salt you add.

7. Serving:
   Once the soup is ready, remove the pot from heat. Ladle the soup into serving bowls, ensuring each bowl has a mix of chicken pieces, day lilies, and red dates. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips:

• For a richer flavor, you can use chicken bones or a whole chicken carcass to make the broth. Simply simmer the bones for several hours to extract all the flavors before adding the chicken pieces and other ingredients.
• Day lilies cook quickly, so it’s important to add them towards the end of the cooking process to prevent them from becoming overly soft and mushy.

Recipe 2: Day Lily and Pork Rib Soup

Ingredients:

• 500g pork ribs, cut into small pieces
• 150g fresh day lilies, stems removed and flowers washed
• 3 slices of fresh ginger
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt to taste
• White pepper powder to taste
• Water (enough to cover all ingredients)
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preparation of Pork Ribs:
   Rinse the pork ribs thoroughly under cold running water. Pat them dry using paper towels. You can also blanch the pork ribs in boiling water for a few minutes to remove any impurities, but this step is optional.

2. Cooking the Soup Base:
   In a large pot, add water (enough to cover all the ingredients) and bring it to a boil. Add the pork ribs, ginger slices, crushed garlic, and sliced onion. Let the soup simmer gently for about 1 hour, skimming off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface.

3. Adding Vegetables:
   After the pork ribs have cooked through and the broth has developed a flavorful base, add the sliced carrots and continue to simmer for another 15-20 minutes until the carrots are tender.

4. Adding Day Lilies:
   Next, add the prepared day lilies to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 10 minutes, allowing the day lilies to soften and blend their flavor with the soup.

   

5. Seasoning and Flavoring:
   Pour in the soy sauce and sesame oil. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with salt and white pepper powder as needed. The soy sauce adds a hint of umami to the soup, while the sesame oil enhances its aroma.

6. Serving:
   Once the soup is ready, remove the pot from heat. Ladle the soup into serving bowls, ensuring each bowl has a mix of pork ribs, day lilies, carrots, and onions. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips:

• For a more robust flavor, you can add a few dried mushrooms or Chinese wolfberries to the soup. They will add an extra layer of complexity and nutrition to the dish.
• If you prefer a clearer broth, you can strain out the solids before serving, but this will also remove some of the flavor.

Recipe 3: Day Lily and Tofu Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 block (about 300g) of firm tofu, cut into small cubes
• 150g fresh day lilies, stems removed and flowers washed
• 4 cups of vegetable broth or water
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• Salt to taste
• White pepper powder to taste
• Fresh chives for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preparing the Tofu:
   Drain the tofu and pat it dry using paper towels. Cut it into small cubes and set aside.

2. Sautéing Aromatics:
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Adding Broth:
   Pour in the vegetable broth or water and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors of the onion and garlic to meld with the broth.

4. Adding Tofu and Day Lilies:
   Carefully add the tofu cubes and prepared day lilies to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, allowing the tofu to soften and the day lilies to infuse their flavor into the soup.

5. Seasoning:
   Pour in the light soy sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and white pepper powder as needed. The tofu and day lilies are both quite mild in flavor, so the soy sauce will help to enhance the overall taste of the soup.

6. Serving:
   Once the soup is ready, remove the pot from heat. Ladle the soup into serving bowls, ensuring each bowl has a mix of tofu cubes, day lilies, and onions. Garnish with freshly chopped chives if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips:

• For a creamier texture, you can add a small amount of silken tofu or coconut milk to the soup. This will also add a subtle sweetness and richness to the dish.
• If you prefer a more vegetarian approach, you can use vegetable broth instead of water for a deeper and more flavorful base.

Conclusion

Day lily soup is a delightful and nutritious addition to any meal. Whether you choose to pair day lilies with chicken, pork ribs, or tofu, each recipe offers a unique flavor and texture that is sure to delight your taste buds. With their delicate aroma and subtle sweetness, day lilies can elevate even the simplest soup to a gourmet experience. So, the next time you’re in the mood for a comforting and healthy soup, give one of these day lily soup recipes a try. You won’t be disappointed!