街市THE WET MARKET
Rue
臭草
Rue (Ruta graveolens), a low blue-green herb with a strong, bitter scent. A small bunch goes into Hong Kong 綠豆沙 with the kelp for the last fifteen minutes and is fished out before serving; it is the Hong Kong signature, and the smell in the stairwell told the neighbours who was making it. Many families find it too strong and leave it out. No Australian grocer sells it as food; Bunnings and nurseries sell it as a herb seedling, which is why Hong Kong families here keep a pot on the balcony.
Cautions: read first
- Rue in quantity is not a food: use only a small bunch and take it out after cooking.
Preparation
Rinse; one small bunch (about 5 g) on the stem for the last fifteen minutes, removed before serving.
Availability in Australia
Not found in AU retail
Australian name · rue (Ruta graveolens), as a plant
Where · No grocer sells it; Bunnings and nurseries sell seedlings to grow
What to ask for · Ask the nursery for rue or common rue
If it is not there · Leave it out; kelp and dried tangerine peel carry the pot
Where · No grocer sells it; Bunnings and nurseries sell seedlings to grow
What to ask for · Ask the nursery for rue or common rue
If it is not there · Leave it out; kelp and dried tangerine peel carry the pot
