老火湯LO FO TONG

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百子櫃THE HUNDRED DRAWERS

Peanut

花生
strengthens the spleenmoistens the lungs養胃補血（連紅衣煲，民間之說）

The seed of the groundnut (Arachis hypogaea); soup kitchens use raw peanuts with the red-brown papery skin left on. Long boiling makes them soft and creamy rather than crunchy, adding richness, body and a sweet nuttiness to classics like black-eyed bean chicken-feet soup or papaya soup.

TCM properties

Nature · neutral　Flavour · sweet　Meridians · spleen、lung

Traditional food therapy

In Cantonese food therapy peanut is used to strengthen the spleen, moisten the lungs and nurture the stomach; boiled with its red skins on, folk tradition credits it with nourishing the blood.

Cautions — read first

  • Absolutely off limits for anyone with a peanut allergy.
  • People with gout, gallbladder trouble or high blood lipids should keep to a moderate amount.
  • Mouldy peanuts carry aflatoxin, so never use them.

Preparation

Soak for 30 minutes with the red skins left on.

Origin

山東為傳統主產大省 — Australian retail stock is Australian-grown (Henghui 'Australian' peanuts, skin-on and skinless)

Availability in Australia

Common at Asian grocers · A$0.85–1 / 100g
Henghui Australian peanuts: skinless 375g $3.69 / 1kg $8.49; skin-on 1kg $9.99

Pairs well with

Black-eyed peaChicken feetPapayaLotus rootDried octopus

Soups that use this ingredient · 6

Papaya, peanut and black-eyed pea soup with chicken feetNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
木瓜花生眉豆雞腳湯
strengthens the spleenpostpartum nourishmentstrengthens sinews and bonesAll year
街市Papaya· 1百子櫃Peanut· 75 g百子櫃Black-eyed pea· 75 g街市Chicken feet· 8街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 300 g百子櫃Red jujube date· 4

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Walnut, peanut, longan and carrot soup with lean porkA$7–12
合桃花生圓肉紅蘿蔔瘦肉湯
supports the kidneysstrengthens the spleenmoistens the lungsWinter
百子櫃Walnut· 75 g百子櫃Peanut· 75 g百子櫃Dried longan flesh· 12 g (3 mace)街市Carrot· 2街市Lean pork· 300 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Papaya and crucian carp soupA$18–21
木瓜鯽魚湯
strengthens the spleenpostpartum nourishmentpromotes water metabolismAll year
街市Papaya· 1街市Crucian carp· 1百子櫃Peanut· 40 g (1 tael)百子櫃Red jujube date· 4街市Fresh ginger· 3 slices

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Hairy gourd, black-eyed pea and peanut soup with chicken feetNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
節瓜眉豆花生雞腳湯
strengthens the spleendispels dampnesspromotes water metabolismSummerAll year
街市Hairy gourd / fuzzy melon· 2百子櫃Black-eyed pea· 75 g百子櫃Peanut· 75 g街市Chicken feet· 8街市Pork bones (femur / blade)· 300 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2… +1

“The pot for damp weather.”

Old cucumber, corn and black-eyed pea soup with pork shinNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
老黃瓜粟米眉豆豬展湯
clears heatnourishes yinstrengthens the spleenSummer
街市Old (mature yellow) cucumber· 1, about 900 g (1.5 catties)街市Corn / maize (with corn silk)· 2百子櫃Black-eyed pea· 75 g百子櫃Peanut· 40 g (1 tael)街市Pork shin (shank)· 300 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2… +1

“The pot for damp weather.”

Peanut, black-eyed pea and corn soup with pork ribsA$15–16
花生眉豆粟米排骨湯
strengthens the spleenpromotes water metabolismdispels dampnessSpringAll year
百子櫃Peanut· 75 g百子櫃Black-eyed pea· 75 g街市Corn / maize (with corn silk)· 2街市Pork spare ribs· 600 g (1 catty)百子櫃Candied honey date· 2百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· 1 piece

“The pot for damp weather.”