Fresh Lotus Pod, Winter Melon and Job's Tears Soup

Why people make this soup

On a blazing-hot day, anyone can feel cranky and overheated. A cooling soup is the kindest thing you can do for yourself. Nourilo pairs fresh lotus pods with winter melon and Job’s tears for a bowl that is light, fragrant and genuinely refreshing, traditionally taken to clear summer heat and support healthy fluid balance. Fresh lotus pods are available at Chinese or Asian grocers when in season.

Method

1. Rinse the fresh lotus pod and Job’s tears. Rinse the aged winter melon (leave skin and seeds on) and cut into chunks.
2. Put everything in a pot with 1.8 L of water.
3. Simmer for about 2 hours until reduced to 0.9–1.2 L.

Nourilo’s Tips

You can shell the fresh lotus seeds from the pod, remove the skin and bitter core, then use them in soup or sweet broth — very fragrant. The white frost on aged winter melon need not be scrubbed off; just rinse it briefly. Winter melon seeds are traditionally associated with resolving phlegm, so cook them right in.