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10/9/2013

Loving your Kidneys: Bone Broth Soup

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With winter fast approaching the time for soup has come! In Chinese medicine, winter is the time of the kidneys. You'll have to step out of the western mindset regarding the kidneys to understand why bone broth soup is so important to nourish them.

In Chinese medical theory, the kidneys control the bones, bone marrow, and the hair. Healthy kidneys stimulate the production of bone marrow, a crucial component of the immune system, strong teeth and bones, brain function, and hair growth. The kidneys also store the "jing" or our genetic material, and aid in healthy reproduction.

Eating bone broth soup helps nourish the kidneys, keeping them healthy and strong. A few signs you need to give your kidneys a boost include:

a weak or sore low back
low sex drive
Fatigue
Knee pains
shortness of breath, and more.

Are you raising your hand at some of these symptoms? Well, let's get to it!

Winter Bone and Vegetable Soup

1-2 pounds of bones (lamb, chicken, or beef), chopped into large pieces (femur bones are best)
1 onion, peeled and quartered
3 garlic cloves, peeled
2 sticks celery, peeled and cut in half
2 carrots, peeled and cut in half
5 whole sprigs of parsley
1 tsp. black peppercorns
1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
salt to taste

Preheat oven to 400° F
Rinse bones and place in a foil-lined tray.
Roast bones, uncovered, until brown on all sides, turning every 20 minutes.

(Approximately 1-2 hours, depending on amount of bones.)

Add bones to stockpot with 1 1/2 quarts of cold water, or enough to cover the bones.
Slowly bring to a boil, then turn down and simmer gently
Add peppercorns, garlic, onions, and 2-3 teaspoons vinegar
Cook half-covered, for 4+ hours. Add more boiling water if necessary when simmering, in order to keep bones covered.
Skim surface every half hour to remove scum and impurities - do not stir though!
Strain, cool broth, and remove any fat that comes to the surface.
Prepare carrots, celery, and parsley
Heat broth, add cut up vegetables, and simmer for 1 more hour.

Recipe adapted and modified from the Jade Institute and Joy of Cooking
Joy of Cooking 2007 - Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, Ethan Becker
Photo credit: Creative Commons

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Loving your Kidneys: Bone Broth Soup

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