Slices of fish and green papaya are concocted into soup is suitable for regular daily consumption too or to help with breast milk production as part of mother’s post-partum diet
Fish and green papaya soup is one of the important recipes during confinement (at least to my mom and I believe many others too). The green papaya helps in the production of breast milk, which is a big plus for me since I’m breastfeeding. I’m feeding the baby every 1 1/2 – 2 hours. Seriously on the clock! So that does qualify me to be “COW OF THE YEAR”, doesn’t it? This fish with green papaya soup is one of the confinement dishes my mom makes pretty often.
Update: I breastfed both of my babies, first baby for 14 months and second baby for 25 months without supplementation of baby formula of any kind. In Asian culture, especially where I grew up, breastfeeding is not supported and people from my mom’s generation often think that breastfeeding alone is not enough to nourish the baby. Well, honey, my girl was born at 6 lbs 12 oz and she doubled her birth weight in less than 3 months and only one case of ear infection in 14 months of her life so far. While green papaya soup might help in some way, I didn’t consume this after confinement period and my supply is keeping up with my baby’s demand.
The most important rule to breastfeeding is the good ‘ol demand and supply. The less you breastfeed or pump, the less your supply will be. Simple as that. I hate pumping and thank goodness my baby didn’t want to take a bottle of anykind. So, I breastfed her directly for the full 14 months and I think that’s how I survived breastfeeding for that long (not having to wash pumping parts and milk bottles and nipples lol). But again, I know some moms have to pump because of work and I really salute moms who pump full-time! gosh!!! lots of work!
This blog post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission when you made purchase at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
*Recipe is written for 6-quart Instant Pot. Cooking time should remain the same for 8-quart size but will take longer to pressurize. For mini duo (3-quart), I recommend to half the recipe and use the same amount of time to cook*
Fish with Green Papaya Soup
Ingredients
- 6 Cups water
- 200 gr white fish of your choice - Kurau/grouper, seabass, cod, sole is suitable for this cut into large pieces to prevent breaking while cooking
- 4-5 slices fresh ginger
- 5-6 red dates
- 1 small green papaya peeled, seeded, and cut into medium chunks
- ¼ cup goji berries
- Salt to taste
- Sesame oil
Instructions
Cooking with instant pot:
- Place all the ingredient in instant pot insert, except for goji berries and salt. Cook on high pressure for 3 minutes and then do quick release by carefully turning the steam handle to venting. Remove the lid. Add in goji berries into the hot soup. Close the lid back and let it sit for 5 minutes. Uncover the lid. The goji berries should plump up. Season with salt to your taste. Add few drops of sesame oil and serve immediately
Cooking on stove-top:
- Bring the water to a boil. Add all the ingredients and bring the water back to boil and then lower the heat to let it simmer gently for 30 minutes. Don't stir the soup too much so the fish will not break into pieces. Remove from heat. Add goji berries and let them sit for 5 minutes. Season with salt to taste and add few drops of sesame oil and serve immediately
Other Soup Recipes you might like:
ASIAN CHICKEN MACARONI SOUP
SUP KAKI BABI (PORK HOCKS BLACK BEAN SOUP)
CHANKO NABE/ SUMO WRESTLERS’ STEW
6 comments
This recipe is simple and effective! I made it for my best friend who has a 2 week old new born. Within moments of eating it she felt her breasts tingle and then the supply for the feed was abundant! I was really pleasantly surprised!
Hi Serlina, you are such a good friend! I’m so glad the soup helps with her milk supply! Your best friend is lucky to have you 🙂 Congratulation to your best friend and her newborn! Precious moment!
Hi how often should I drink this soup for good supply? Can drink every day? My supply has been on the short side…
Hi Elisa, yes you can drink every day. I hope things will get better for you! Hang in there mama!
I made this twice for my daughter couldn’t find snake fish so I prepare once with cod fillet & the next time tapia fillet. The green papaya I found didn’t have the orange flesh like shown in your photo , both times was white I was thinking should I try picking the big orange papaya vs the green ones?
Hi Lisa, the green papaya shouldn’t be that orange in color. The ones you choose should be correct. Some part of the green papaya I chose may have overripened a bit