老火湯LO FO TONG

All soups › Lung-moistening

Fritillaria and sea coconut soup with figs and lean pork

川貝海底椰無花果瘦肉湯
moistens the lungssoothes coughresolves phlegmrelieves drynessnourishes yinAutumn slow-boiled · 1.5 hours Not yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

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

Ingredients

百子櫃Sea coconut slices· the research lists African sea coconut; the cheap soup packs on sale are mostly Thai sea coconut, which shares the name but is a different thing40 g (1 tael)
百子櫃Tendrilleaf fritillary bulb12 to 20 g (3 to 5 mace)
百子櫃Dried fig4
百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel40 g (1 tael) of sweet and bitter apricot kernels combined
百子櫃Bitter apricot kernel40 g (1 tael) of sweet and bitter apricot kernels combined
百子櫃Dried lily bulb40 g (1 tael)
百子櫃Solomon's seal rhizome40 g (1 tael)
街市Lean pork300 g

Method

  1. Cut the lean pork into pieces and blanch it (汆水, a quick boil that draws out the blood and scum).
  2. Wash the 川貝 (fritillary bulb), sea coconut, dried figs, sweet and bitter apricot kernels, lily bulb and Solomon's seal and give them a short soak.
  3. Put everything in with 2 litres of water and bring to the boil over high heat.
  4. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 1.5 hours, then season with salt.

Who it suits

  • people with a hot or dry cough
  • people with yellow phlegm
  • people who cough at the change of seasons

Who should take care

  • Fritillary bulb is not for a cold type cough (thin, clear white phlegm)
  • Tonics are not suitable at the onset of a cold
  • Bitter apricot kernels must be cooked right through and kept to a limited amount
  • Pregnant women should take care (bitter apricot kernel)

From the same family

Double-boiled bird's nest with rock sugarA$17–35
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.”

Double-boiled pear with rock sugar (with fritillary for cough)A$2–7
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.