Beef Soup with Adsuki Beans and Peanuts

Purpose:

To strengthen the spleen and remove stagnant water.

Material:

Beef shin （牛腱肉）                                    250 g

Adsuki beans （chixiaodou，赤小豆）          150 g
Peanuts （花生）                                          100 g  
Garlic （大蒜）                                             30 g     

Salt                                                             some        

Note:

Beef shin, or lower leg muscles of beef and Adsuki beans (chixiaodou) are available from Chinese grocers.  Adsuki beans are small red beans.  This variety is different from a larger size red bean variety in terms of therapeutic effects; Adsuki beans are more effective.

Procedure:

a.   Rub and rinse clean Adsuki beans.  Rinse clean peanuts.  Remove garlic skin.  Slightly crush each garlic by placing it on a cutting board and hitting gently with the side of a kitchen knife. 

b.   Clean and cut the beef to bite size.  Add beef and about 6 cups of water to a pot.  Bring to boil at high heat.  Remove foam and scum.  Then add Adsuki beans, peanuts, and garlic.  Reduce to low heat and cook for about 2 hours.  

c.   Add salt to taste.  Ready to serve.

        

Comment:

This soup has a strong garlic smell and is delicious.  The meat, beans and peanuts taste great too.  It is good to go with rice or bread, or eat alone.  Strengthening the spleen and removing stagnant water are two effective ways in traditional Chinese medicine to reduce weight.  So, this is a nutritious weight-loss recipe. 

Adsuki beans （赤小豆）

Peanuts （花生）

Beef Shin （牛腱）