Lotus Leaf, Winter Melon, Adzuki and Hyacinth Bean Soup

Why people make this soup

When a typhoon is brewing offshore and the Great Heat solar term is near, Hong Kong turns sweltering. This is the time to simmer a cooling lotus-leaf and winter-melon soup. For people with a weaker constitution, Nourilo adds adzuki and hyacinth beans, which strengthen the spleen, support qi and help the body shed excess damp. Because both beans are gentle rather than cold, the soup won’t chill you, so even those who feel the cold easily can enjoy it.

Method

1. Rinse the winter melon and cut into chunks with the skin on.
2. Soak and rinse the rest of the ingredients.
3. Put everything in a pot with 8 cups of water and simmer for about 2 hours until reduced to around 1.2 L. Serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

This soup works well both savoury and sweet, and can also be used as a base for congee. It is traditionally helpful for summer-heat nausea, poor appetite, lingering diarrhoea, and children whose spleen and stomach are upset.