Double-boil (隔水燉, the covered pot sits in a pan of simmering water): put the fish head and herbs in the double-boiling pot, pour in boiling 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) for 1 to 3 hours. The Ming Pao medicinal cookery version is done in 60 minutes, while the dessert house version goes the full 3 hours. Salt goes in last. Taken for the specific complaint, twice a week.
Wash the bighead carp head and split it, then pan-fry it in an oiled wok with the ginger until fragrant, which makes it smell better and taste less fishy.
Steam the 天麻 (gastrodia) until soft and slice it; rinse the 川芎 (Sichuan lovage) and 白芷 (Dahurian angelica).
Put everything in the double-boiling pot and pour in boiling water to just cover.
Seal the pot and double-boil (隔水燉, the covered pot sits in a pan of simmering water) for 1 to 3 hours; 60 minutes is already enough.
Season with salt and drink it hot; twice a week.
Who it suits
vascular headache
stubborn headaches and dizziness
headaches around menstruation
post-natal headaches from blood depletion and exposure to wind
Who should take care
Gastrodia is not suitable for a headache caused by a cold or chill
Pregnant women should take care (Sichuan lovage moves the blood)
Those with yin depletion and rising fire should take care
People with poor kidney function should be cautious taking gastrodia
Do not take double-boiled tonics while a cold has not fully cleared (applies across this collection)
Soup stories
The best known of the targeted double-boiled soups. Gastrodia with fish head follows the traditional like treats like idea of using a head to nourish a head. It is a signature recipe of the TVB cook 肥媽, and 尚品 and confinement nanny suppliers sell it as a ready-made double-boiling pack for post-natal head wind.
街市Mud carp· about 300 g of 鯪魚滑 dace paste街市Chinese lettuce· 1 head百子櫃Superior stock· 1 to 1.5 litres
“Just off the stove — drink it while it is hot.”
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.
問阿媽ASK AH MA
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.