Soups
Salted Lemon, Winter Melon, Cowpea and Dried Duck Gizzard Soup
Traditionally used to whet the appetite and ease fluid retention
Why people make this soup
Buying sour plums to steam with ribs, Bro Niu noticed a big jar of salted lemons beside them. The Chiu Chow shopkeeper sang the praises of salted lemon cooked with winter melon and duck, so Bro Niu gave it a go — but as fresh duck is rather fatty, he used dried duck gizzard instead, plus cowpea, Job’s tears and winter melon. The result is genuinely appetite-whetting and tasty, traditionally used to whet the appetite, resolve stagnation, drain water and refresh you.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People wanting an appetite-whetting, summery soup to ease fluid retention and tiredness.
- It is somewhat cooling; those who are weak, or unwell with a cough/asthma, may find it too cold for them.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Salted lemon (xian ning meng): tangy and savoury, traditionally used to whet the appetite and resolve stagnation.
- Winter melon (dong gua): traditionally used to clear heat and drain water; cooked with its skin for the dampness-draining benefit.
- Cowpea (mei dou) and Job’s tears (yi mi): traditionally used to strengthen the spleen and drain dampness.
- Dried duck gizzard (chen ya shen): traditionally used to aid digestion and resolve food stagnation.
Ingredients (4–5 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salted lemon (xian ning meng) | Half | Or 2 pieces tangerine peel instead |
| Winter melon (dong gua) | ~600 g | Keep the skin on |
| Cowpea (mei dou) | ~38 g | Rinse and soak |
| Job’s tears (yi mi) | ~38 g | Rinse and soak |
| Dried duck gizzard (chen ya shen) | 2 | Rinse and soak |
| Pork shank (zhu zhan) | ~300 g | Blanched |
| Candied dates (mi zao) | 2 |
Method
- Wash the winter melon and cut into chunks, leaving the skin on. Rinse and soak the cowpea, Job’s tears and dried duck gizzard. Blanch the pork shank.
- Put everything into a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Simmer about 2 hours.
- Serve, eating the ingredients along with the soup.
Bro Niu’s tips
The leftover half salted lemon is lovely shredded over steamed grey mullet, with a little fried garlic and sweet soy sauce. If you prefer not to use salted lemon, two pieces of tangerine peel make a fine substitute.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Amy): Can I make this soup without the salted lemon? What can I use instead? Bro Niu: You can use two pieces of tangerine peel (chen pi) instead.
-
Q (gloria duck): I have asthma, a cough and lost my voice, and I’m on medication. Can I drink this soup, or which should I have instead? Bro Niu: This soup may be too cooling for you right now. Instead try American ginseng (3 qian), old cucumber (1), sweet and bitter apricot kernels (1 tael) and candied dates (4) simmered with pork shank for 2 hours, adding the American ginseng near the end.
Published June 27, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
