老火湯LO FO TONG

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Watercress and dried duck gizzard soup with pork bones

西洋菜陳腎煲豬骨
clears heatcools internal firemoistens the lungsresolves phlegmsoothes coughwhets the appetiteeases indigestionAutumnWinter slow-boiled · 2 hours Not yet surveyed (we say so honestly)

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Ingredients

街市Watercress· can be blanched first (飛水) to take off the astringency600 g (1 catty)
百子櫃Dried cured duck gizzard· 臘鴨腎, dried duck gizzard; warm in nature, traditionally used to balance the coolness of watercress2 to 3
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 to 3
街市Pork bones (femur / blade)600 g (1 catty)
百子櫃Aged dried tangerine peel1 piece

Method

  1. Soak and wash the watercress thoroughly, and blanch it first (飛水, a quick boil) if you want to take off the astringency. Soak the 陳腎 until soft and slice it.
  2. Blanch the pork bones (飛水) to clear the bloody scum.
  3. Bring 3 litres of water to the boil over high heat, then add the pork bones, 陳腎, apricot kernels, honey dates and dried tangerine peel.
  4. Once it returns to the boil add the watercress, 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, dry cough
  • an irritated airway
  • lots of phlegm

Who should take care

  • be careful with a cold-type cough
  • be careful if your stomach runs cold
  • pregnant women should be careful
  • 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)
  • people with high blood pressure should watch the sodium (陳腎 is a cured product and high in salt)

Soup stories

A classic pairing among Hong Kong's winter standbys. The 陳腎 (臘鴨腎, dried duck gizzard) adds a salty, savoury layer, and is traditionally credited with helping shift a heavy stomach.

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.