老火湯LO FO TONG

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Watercress soup with apricot kernels, honey dates and lean pork

西洋菜南北杏蜜棗瘦肉湯
clears heatmoistens the lungssoothes coughresolves phlegmnourishes yinrelieves drynessnourishes the complexionAutumnWinter slow-boiled · 2 hours A$22–35

“Heaty? Then this is the pot.”

Ingredients

街市Watercress600 g (1 catty)
百子櫃Sweet apricot kernel20 g
百子櫃Bitter apricot kernel· must be cooked right through12 g
百子櫃Candied honey date3
百子櫃Monk fruit· optionala quarter
街市Lean pork· or pork ribs600 g (1 catty)
街市Fresh ginger3 slices

Method

  1. Soak and wash the watercress thoroughly. Rinse both kinds of apricot kernel.
  2. Cut the lean pork into large pieces and blanch it (飛水, a quick boil to clear the scum).
  3. Bring 2.5 litres of water to the boil over high heat, then add the pork, apricot kernels, honey dates, 羅漢果 and ginger slices.
  4. Once it returns to the boil add the watercress, turn down to low heat and simmer for 2 hours.
  5. Season with salt and it is ready.

Who it suits

  • a dry cough
  • too much smoking and drinking
  • late nights

Who should take care

  • people with a cold-type cough should be careful
  • people with a weak, cold digestion should be careful
  • 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)

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.