老火湯LO FO TONG

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Striga (witchweed) and honey date soup with lean pork

獨腳金蜜棗瘦肉湯
soothes the livereases indigestionwhets the appetitecalms the spiritSummerAll year slow-boiled · 1.5 hours Not yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Ingredients

百子櫃Witchweed· optional variation, add 塘葛菜 marsh cress or 蟬蛻 cicada slough20 g (5 mace)
百子櫃Candied honey date3
街市Lean pork225 g (6 taels)

Method

  1. Soak and wash the 獨腳金 striga clean of grit and sand.
  2. Cut the lean pork into pieces and blanch it (汆水, a quick boil to draw out blood and scum).
  3. Bring 1.5 litres of water to the boil and add the striga, honey dates and pork.
  4. Boil hard for 10 minutes, then turn down to low and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours.
  5. Add a pinch of salt and it is ready, or leave the salt out if children are drinking it.

Who it suits

  • children with food stagnation or 疳積, the childhood failure to thrive that goes with it
  • crying at night and restless sleep
  • poor appetite

Who should take care

  • Children with a weak, cold spleen and stomach should drink less of it

Soup stories

This is the classic folk remedy Hong Kong grandmothers turn to when a child will not eat. 獨腳金 is sold in paper packets in every herbal tea shop and Chinese medicine shop.

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.