Double-boiled bird's nest with rock sugar

Ingredients

Method

Slow double-boil for 25 to 40 minutes ONLY. This is the exception to the "three hours to boil, four to double-boil" rule, because bird's nest dissolves if it goes too long. Put the bird's nest in the double-boiling pot and pour in purified water to just cover, put the lid on and seal it with cling film (traditionally 紗紙, a thin gauze paper), then sit it in a pan of boiling water (the water coming one third to halfway up the side of the pot) to cook gently. The rock sugar goes in only 5 minutes before you turn off the heat. Red dates, goji berries, dried longan or lotus seeds can be double-boiled along with it.

1. Soak the dried bird's nest in purified water for 3 to 4 hours, changing the water once or twice along the way.
2. Pick out the fine feathers, tear it into strands and drain.
3. Put the bird's nest in the double-boiling pot and pour in purified water to just cover it.
4. Seal the pot and slow double-boil (隔水燉, the covered pot sits in a pan of simmering water) for 25 to 40 minutes.
5. Five minutes before turning off the heat, stir in the rock sugar until it dissolves and it is ready; add red dates, goji berries, dried longan or lotus seeds if you like.

Who it suits

• pregnant women looking after their skin
• recovery after illness
• people who use their voice for work

Who should take care

• Avoid with a cold or fever
• Not for people with protein allergies
• Check with a doctor first during cancer treatment [common practice]

Soup stories

Strictly speaking this is a sweet double-boiled dish rather than a savoury soup, but it is the founding emblem of double-boiling. Every bird's nest merchant and dessert house sells it by the pot.

From the same family

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.