Whenever the seasons’ change, it’s always a good idea to give your body a little boost to help with the adjustment! Whether it’s changing to cooler temps or warmer temps, your body will be out of sync so a nourishing soup such as this one just helps my body with the transition. As I’ve aged, I’ve started noticing things like drier lips, oily skin or even breakouts. Sometimes I even notice my hands feeling tight or like I’m retaining water.
Night Blooming Cereus
This this looks alien-like fresh & dried but packs a punch with lung nourishing benefits. I first had it at a HK style cafe and my son liked it so much I had to ask the waitstaff what was in it. Now it’s in our regular repertoire of dishes. It might be a bit difficult to obtain but is widely available at any Chinese dried goods store (where you’d buy dry scallops, dates, fish maw…etc). I picked this bag up from an Auntie’s stall outside T&T – she even let me e-transfer her since I didn’t have cash! You really need to know what to look for or ask – in Cantonese it’s “Baa Wong Faa” loosely translated to Baa (I dunno) Wong (golden) Faa (flower).
Prep isn’t too bad – just need to soak and wash really really well like most dried Asian goods. I like to soak it for 2-3 hours but as it’s soaking, I’ll try to replace the water and shake/rinse it quite aggressively to get out any small bugs or dirt stuck in the hairlike stands of the flower?
The ‘meat’ can also be eaten once cooked!
Tada! Here is the result!
Night Blooming Cereus Soup (้ธ็่ฑ)
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork neck/back bones
- 2 dried dates
- 6-10 ea dried almond seeds
- 1 ea apple (or asian pear)
- 2 ea carrots (or 1 large Chinese carrot)
- 5 ea Night Blooming Cereus (้ธ็่ฑ)
- 6 cups water
Instructions
- Rinse 4-5 pieces of night flowering cerus blossom then soak in water for 2-3 hours. Try to rinse and replace the water once or twice to get as much dirt/sand/bugs out from the flowers. Put aside.
- Place pork bones in a big pot of water. Bring to a boil and boil for 2-3 mins until all the scum rise to the surface. Discard the water and rinse the blanched bones in cold water until most of the scum is removed. Put aside.
- Rinse and soak almond seeds and dried dates in a bowl of water.
- Wash and cut carrots and apples/Asian pears into 1/2 inch pieces and put into a pot of water (6-8 cups minimum).
- Add pork bones, almond seeds, dried dates and blossoms and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium simmer and simmer for 2-3hrs. You'll know it's ready when the brother is a nice darker colour and you taste the sweetness of the blossom and carrots! Enjoy!
Notes
