chicken broth

whole chicken
ginger strips
one big sweet date

just make sure to boil the chicken first, pour out the water and then add fresh water

you can pull off some meat (like breast) to eat later before reboiling, as the meat will devolve into the broth

reboil, add a lot of ginger and a date, and simmer for about 3 hours

mom's sour and hot soup

cut chicken or pork meat into small trips (shar)
add a bit of starch (2-3 tbsp)

starting with a chicken broth, add these to the boil:

cubed 1/3 pack of tofu
chopped wood ears
minced ginger and scallion
julienned carrot for color

then, add:

1 tbsp soy sauce
2.5 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp sugar

to taste

mushrooms (enoki)
bean sprouts

then, add:

meat
egg

stir

you're ready! add pepper and scallion to taste.

pork chop and lotus soup

pork chop or rib
3-4 pieces dried scallop
ham for flavor (optional)
ginger
daikon radish OR wintermelon
lotus root

leach meat
boil then simmer for 45 minutes or longer

refrigerate and reheat for 2-3 meals!