老火湯LO FO TONG

All soups › Heat-clearing

Sauropus (dragon's tongue) leaf and monk fruit soup with lean pork

龍脷葉羅漢果瘦肉湯
moistens the lungssoothes coughresolves phlegmclears heateases the bowelsAutumn slow-boiled · 2 hours Not yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Ingredients

百子櫃Dragon's tongue leaf· or 1 bunch of fresh 龍脷葉20 g
百子櫃Monk fruita third
百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel· mostly 南杏40 g (1 tael) of 南杏 and 北杏 combined
百子櫃Bitter apricot kernel· a small amount only, must be cooked right through40 g (1 tael) of 南杏 and 北杏 combined
百子櫃Candied honey date2
街市Lean pork300 g

Method

  1. Rinse the 龍脷葉 and both kinds of apricot kernel. Crack the 羅漢果 open.
  2. Cut the lean pork into large pieces and blanch it (飛水, a quick boil to clear the scum).
  3. Bring 2 litres of water to the boil over high heat and add everything.
  4. Once it returns to the boil, turn down to low heat and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours.
  5. Season with salt and it is ready.

Who it suits

  • a hot cough with thick yellow phlegm
  • an itchy throat
  • a sensitive airway at the change of season

Who should take care

  • not for a cold-type cough with thin, watery white phlegm
  • 北杏 must be cooked right through and kept to a small amount
  • people with gout or high uric acid should drink only a little, long-simmered meat soups are high in purines (general warning across this collection)
  • pregnant women should be careful (北杏)

From the same family

Winter melon, dried shrimp and glass noodle soupNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
冬瓜蝦米粉絲湯（滾冬瓜湯）
clears heatdispels dampnesspromotes water metabolismSummer
街市Winter melon· about 600 g (1 catty)百子櫃Dried small shrimp· 1 to 2 tablespoons百子櫃Mung bean vermicelli· 1 bunch百子櫃Dried shiitake mushroom· 2 to 3街市Fresh ginger· 2 slices

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Angled loofah, cloud ear fungus and pork slice soupA$7–15
勝瓜雲耳肉片湯（絲瓜滾湯）
clears heatcools internal fireeases the bowelsSummer
街市Angled loofah· 1 to 2百子櫃Cloud ear fungus· 1 small handful街市Lean pork· about 150 to 200 g街市Fresh ginger· 2 to 3 slices

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Yellowcress (marsh cress) and snakehead fish soupNot yet surveyed (we say so honestly)
塘葛菜生魚湯
clears heatdispels dampnessmoistens the lungsSpringSummerAll year
百子櫃Yellowcress / marsh cress· 300 g百子櫃Snakehead fish· 1, about 600 g (1 catty)街市Lean pork· 300 g百子櫃Candied honey date· 2百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel· 1 piece街市Fresh ginger· 3 slices

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

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.