Double-boil (隔水燉, the covered pot sits in a pan of simmering water): in a small household pot pour in about 500 ml of 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 2 to 3 hours. Salt goes in last.
Soak the dried conch, or conch slices, until softened and wash it clean; rinse the 太子參 (prince ginseng), Chinese yam, goji berries and honey date.
Cut the lean pork into pieces and blanch it (汆水, a quick boil that draws out the blood and scum).
Put everything in the double-boiling pot and pour in about 500 ml of boiling water.
Seal the pot and double-boil (隔水燉, the covered pot sits in a pan of simmering water) for 2 to 3 hours.
Season with a little salt and it is ready.
Who it suits
children over 1 year old who are frail and eat poorly
catching colds easily and sweating without effort
restless sleep
suits adults too
Who should take care
Avoid while a cold has not fully cleared
Children should not be given tonics blindly; 太子參 (prince ginseng, also called 孩兒參) is the only qi-building ginseng routinely used for children
People with gout should take care (purines from the conch, a seafood)
Soup stories
太子參 literally means the children's ginseng, and it is the first herb Hong Kong mothers reach for when a child has no appetite after being ill. The morel and prince ginseng double-boiled soup sold in dried goods shops is the upgraded version.
“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”
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.