老火湯LO FO TONG

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Double-boiled lean pork with fritillary bulb, lily bulb and apricot kernels

川貝百合南北杏燉瘦肉
moistens the lungssoothes coughresolves phlegmrelieves drynessAutumnWinter double-boiled · 3 hours A$6–7

“The pot Ah Ma keeps for her night owls.”

Ingredients

百子櫃Tendrilleaf fritillary bulb· crushed12 g
百子櫃Dried lily bulb· soaked until soft10 pieces
百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel16 kernels in total with the bitter apricot kernels
百子櫃Bitter apricot kernel(16 sweet and bitter apricot kernels in total)
街市Lean pork· blanched180 g
百子櫃Candied honey date· optional; there is also a version that adds 2 dried figs1

Method

Double-boil (隔水燉, the covered pot sits in a pan of simmering water): in a single serve pot pour in about 400 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 3 hours. Salt goes in last.

  1. Crush the 川貝 (fritillary bulb); soak the lily bulb until soft; rinse the sweet and bitter apricot kernels.
  2. Cut the lean pork into pieces and blanch it (汆水, a quick boil that draws out the blood and scum).
  3. Put everything in the double-boiling pot and pour in about 400 ml of boiling water.
  4. Seal the pot and double-boil (隔水燉, the covered pot sits in a pan of simmering water) for 3 hours.
  5. Season with salt and it is ready.

Who it suits

  • dry cough
  • long standing cough with little phlegm
  • yellow phlegm that is hard to bring up

Who should take care

  • Fritillary bulb is not for a cold type cough (thin, clear white phlegm)
  • At the onset of a cold, clear the surface first
  • Those with a weak cold digestion should take care
  • Do not take double-boiled tonics while a cold has not fully cleared (applies across this collection)
  • People with gout should take care, long double-boiled meat soups are high in purines (general warning across this collection)

Soup stories

The cough pot for people who cannot face crocodile meat. It runs on the same fritillary bulb logic using only everyday ingredients. For the sweet version, fritillary bulb double-boiled with pear, see the 冰糖燉雪梨 entry.

From the same family

冰糖燉燕窩
nourishes yinrelieves drynessmoistens the lungsAll yearAutumn
百子櫃Edible bird's nest· 1 dried nest (about 5 to 8 g)百子櫃Rock sugar· to taste

“The pot Ah Ma keeps for her night owls.”

冰糖燉雪梨 (川貝燉雪梨)
moistens the lungssoothes coughclears heatAutumn
街市Asian pear / snow pear· 1 to 2百子櫃Rock sugar· to taste百子櫃Tendrilleaf fritillary bulb· 8 g (2 mace)

“The pot Ah Ma keeps for her night owls.”

Chayote and pork slice soup (milky prawn version)Not yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
合掌瓜肉片湯(奶白合掌瓜大蝦肉片湯)
moistens the lungssoothes coughresolves phlegmAutumnWinterSummer
街市Chayote· 2街市Large prawns (fresh, head-on)· 4 to 6街市Lean pork· 200 g百子櫃Dried scallop (conpoy)· 10百子櫃Dried whole shrimp (large)· 4街市Fresh ginger· 3 slices

“The pot Ah Ma keeps for her night owls.”

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.