Fresh Lily Mung Bean Sweet Soup

Why people make this soup

On a sweltering summer night, when the heat lingers indoors and a good night’s sleep feels out of reach, this is the soup Nourilo reaches for. It has only three ingredients: mung beans, fresh lily bulbs, and a little rock sugar — yet the combination is wonderfully satisfying. In traditional Cantonese food therapy, the pairing of mung bean and lily bulb is one of the classic summer combinations, valued both for its cooling quality and its calming effect on the mind.

Fresh lily bulbs have a delicate, slightly sweet flavour and a soft, silky texture when cooked. They are available at Chinese and Asian grocery stores in summer. Dried lily bulbs can be substituted with equal effectiveness, though the fresh version has a more elegant taste.