Sweet Soups & Desserts
Walnut and Buckwheat Sweet Paste
Traditionally taken to support the brain and the cardiovascular system
Why people make this paste
Bro Niu keeps a stash of thin-shelled walnuts and eats a few each day — they are traditionally valued for the brain and for warming the lungs and easing the bowels. On a cold day a warm bowl of walnut paste is just the thing. Pairing the walnuts with buckwheat — which is rich in minerals like phosphorus, iron and magnesium, plus rutin (rarely found in grains) — makes a comforting dessert that is traditionally associated with supporting the heart and blood vessels.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people who want a warming dessert to support the brain and cardiovascular system, and those prone to constipation, nervous exhaustion or poor sleep.
- It is sweet; go easy if you are watching your sugar intake.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Walnut (he tao): traditionally used to support the brain, warm the lungs and moisten the bowels.
- Buckwheat (qiao mai): rich in minerals and rutin; classically associated with supporting blood vessels and keeping blood lipids and cholesterol in a healthy range.
- Evaporated milk and rock sugar: make the paste smooth, fragrant and tasty.
Ingredients (2–3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut meat | ~75 g | Blanched, then dry-toasted |
| Buckwheat | ~38 g | Dry-toasted |
| Evaporated milk | 2–3 tbsp | |
| Yellow rock sugar | to taste |
Method
- Blanch the walnut meat in boiling water for 2 minutes, drain, then dry-toast in a clean pan until lightly fragrant.
- Dry-toast the buckwheat over low heat for about 5 minutes.
- Put the walnut and buckwheat into a blender with 4 bowls of water and blend for about 10 minutes. Strain out the solids.
- Pour into a pot and cook over low heat, stirring constantly. Once it comes up, add the rock sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Finally stir in the evaporated milk, bring back up, and serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Blanching the walnuts removes their bitter, astringent edge, and the evaporated milk makes the paste smoother and tastier. Cook over low heat and stir constantly, or it will scorch and stick to the bottom.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Cola): Will using a high-speed blender grind it too fine and reduce the benefit? Bro Niu: Grinding it fine is fine — as long as you eat all of it, you get the benefit.
Published January 23, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
