Pear soup for a blogger’s soul
When I started working from home, I got so wrapped up in my work that I would forget to eat. Then I would get hungry and grab whatever junk I could find in my larder, which most often was a packet of excitotoxins like instant noodles. Evil stuff.
But I’ve learned to take better care of myself now. So when I know I have a heavy schedule coming up, I make soup. As my mom always says, “Even if you don’t eat, you must drink a few spoonfuls of soup.”
Soup, to me, is nourishing and so yummy. And for a lazy “chef” like me who doesn’t want to spend too much time dicing and slicing, making soup is the best solution, literally.
I made a potful of Pear in Snow Fungus soup today. I just slurped it for dinner, and I should have enough to last me another 3 meals, at least if I can resist gulping it all down.
I know the name ‘snow fungus‘ is a turn-off. It’s like some bad case of mold in the basement. But it is actually quite a pretty coral-looking thing. (Note to self: I must remember to take photos of ingredients)
It’s been used by the Chinese for more than 2,000 years and is believed to nourish the Qi and remove dryness and heat from the body, especially if you have a dry cough or chapped lips. Wonderful for hot summer days! (Or, in my case, after a weekend of curry and sunshine). When paired with ingredients like pears or papayas, it turns into a flavorsome delight. Read on for the recipe.
Pear in Snow Fungus Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 golden pears
- A handful of snow fungus
- 1 yellow onion
- Pork soup bones (400gm)
- Water
- Salt to taste
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
Soak the snow fungus in water to soften it. It will take 10 – 15 mins. Discard the water.
Peel and quarter the pears. Remove the core. (You can leave the skin on if the pears are organic. The skin will stop the flesh from disintegrating into the soup).
Peel the onion and quarter it.
Step 2: Prepare the bones
Clean the pork bones and place them in a pot of water at room temperature. Slowly bring the pot of water to a boil and skim off any scum from the surface. Let the bones boil for about 3 minutes, skimming the surface until it clears.
(If you prefer a sweet dessert pear soup, omit the pork bones. Add rock sugar to your list of ingredients.)
Step 3: Boil the soup
Fill a pot with enough water to cover the ingredients.
Bring to a boil and place all the ingredients in.
After it boils, turn the heat down low.
Let it simmer, with the lid slightly opened, for 40 minutes.
Add salt and serve piping hot.
To boil this soup, you can also use an electronic double boiler or crock pot.
Step 4: Serve
Traditionally, soup goes best with rice, meat, and stir-fried veggies. But if that’s way too much cooking, you can enjoy it with noodles or some bread.
Let me know if you give this nourishing soup a try.
