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Double-boiled lean pork with ginseng and dendrobium

人參石斛燉瘦肉

replenishes qinourishes yinmoistens the lungssupports the kidneyscalms the spiritAll year double-boiled · 2.5 hours A$12–66

“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

Ingredients

百子櫃Korean red ginseng· the source text says 人參 (ginseng); Hong Kong double-boiled soups conventionally use Korean red ginseng, so it is mapped here to 高麗參8 g

百子櫃Dendrobium stem12 g

街市Lean pork· blanched300 g

百子櫃Candied honey date4

街市Fresh ginger4 slices

Method

Double-boil (隔水燉, the covered pot sits in a pan of simmering water): put the ingredients in a household double-boiling pot and pour in boiling water to just cover them (single serve version: 5 g ginseng, 10 g dendrobium, 100 g lean pork, 300 ml water). Seal with cling film (traditionally 紗紙, a thin gauze paper) and put the lid on, with the water in the outer pan coming one third to halfway up the side of the pot, then double-boil for 2 to 3 hours. Salt goes in last.

Cut the lean pork into pieces and blanch it (汆水, a quick boil that draws out the blood and scum).
Give the ginseng slices and the dendrobium a quick rinse.
Put everything in the double-boiling pot and pour in boiling water to just cover.
Seal with cling film, put the lid on and double-boil (隔水燉, the covered pot sits in a pan of simmering water) for 2 to 3 hours.
Season with salt just before drinking.

Who it suits

recovering from a serious illness
long term overwork
low in both qi and yin

Who should take care

Avoid with a cold or fever
People with high blood pressure should be cautious with ginseng
Those with a hot and dry constitution should cut back the ginseng
People with gout should take care, long double-boiled meat soups are high in purines (general warning across this collection)

Soup stories

A classic pairing traditionally said to build both qi and yin. Ginseng lifts the yang energy while dendrobium, being cooling, holds that warmth in check so the body does not run hot. It is the standard pot for convalescence after illness.

From the same family

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“The pot she makes when someone needs looking after.”

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“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.