老火湯LO FO TONG

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Angled loofah, cloud ear fungus and pork slice soup

勝瓜雲耳肉片湯（絲瓜滾湯）
clears heatcools internal fireeases the bowelsSummer quick-boiled · 15 minutes A$7–15

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Ingredients

街市Angled loofah· also called 勝瓜; scrape the ridges off, peel and cut into wedges. Shake it to tell young from old, a rattle of seeds means it is old (HK01)1 to 2
百子櫃Cloud ear fungus· soaked for 20 minutes1 small handful
街市Lean pork· sliced, lightly marinated, added in the last 2 to 3 minutesabout 150 to 200 g
街市Fresh ginger2 to 3 slices

Method

Heat the wok and fry the ginger until fragrant (爆香), give the angled loofah (勝瓜) a short stir-fry, then add boiling water and boil for 5 to 8 minutes. The cloud ear fungus boils along with it, and the pork slices go in for the last 2 to 3 minutes.

  1. Scrape the ridges off the angled loofah (勝瓜), peel it and cut it into wedges; soak the cloud ear fungus for 20 minutes; lightly marinate the pork slices.
  2. Heat the wok, fry the ginger slices until fragrant (爆香, a quick high heat fry that releases the aroma) and give the loofah a short stir-fry.
  3. Add boiling water and boil for 5 to 8 minutes.
  4. Add the cloud ear fungus and let it boil along.
  5. Put the pork slices in for the last 2 to 3 minutes, season with salt and it is ready.

Who it suits

  • summer heat
  • feeling heaty with constipation

Who should take care

  • Those with a cold constitution should drink only a little; it suits everyone else in the family

Soup stories

勝瓜 is the lucky renaming Hong Kong market sellers give the angled loofah, because 絲 sounds like the word for losing, so they call it 勝, meaning winning. The superstition in the name is a cultural footnote in its own right. Cloud ear fungus carries a popular reputation for moving the blood as well.

From the same family

Winter melon, dried shrimp and glass noodle soupNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
冬瓜蝦米粉絲湯（滾冬瓜湯）
clears heatdispels dampnesspromotes water metabolismSummer
街市Winter melon· about 600 g (1 catty)百子櫃Dried small shrimp· 1 to 2 tablespoons百子櫃Mung bean vermicelli· 1 bunch百子櫃Dried shiitake mushroom· 2 to 3街市Fresh ginger· 2 slices

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Yellowcress (marsh cress) and snakehead fish soupNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
塘葛菜生魚湯
clears heatdispels dampnessmoistens the lungsSpringSummerAll year
百子櫃Yellowcress / marsh cress· 300 g百子櫃Snakehead fish· 1, about 600 g (1 catty)街市Lean pork· 300 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· 1 piece街市Fresh ginger· 3 slices

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Winter melon tureen soup with night fragrant flowersNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
夜香花冬瓜盅
clears heatcools internal firepromotes water metabolismSummer
街市Winter melon· 1 large section (hollowed into a tureen) or 900 g (1.5 catties)百子櫃Night fragrant flower· 75 g百子櫃Dried shiitake mushroom· to taste街市Lean pork· to taste百子櫃Dried scallop (conpoy)· to taste百子櫃Lotus seed· to taste… +3

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Lo Fo Tong is cultural food-heritage reference, not medical advice. If you are pregnant, unwell or on medication, talk to your doctor or registered practitioner before changing what is in the pot.