The best dish in the world is chicken soup made by someone you love especially for you. I had quite forgotten the magic of this simple soup that nourishes the soul until someone who loves me made it for me a week ago. He said, with a wry smile, there are seven jewels of Asia in it.

I paid if forward today and made it for someone I love deeply. I can’t quite figure out all the seven jewels of Asia, but here’s my version:

1. 1 organic chicken quarter (I used chicken breast)
2. 10 red Chinese dates
3. A quarter cupful of goji berries
4. A fee shitake mushrooms
5. 3 cloves garlic, roughly smashed
6. 3/4 inch ginger
7. 1 chilli (or less)
8. Szechuan peppercorns
9. Bok choi
10. For garnish: fresh flat leaf parsley
11. For garnish: spring onions
12. Salt and pepper

Boil everything except the boy choitogether (I boiled mine for 2 hours, with a dash of cider vinegar). In the last 2 minutes before serving, add the book choi. Season and garnish. Serve with love ❤

(I love the delicate flavour of this version, as opposed to my usual more hearty one)