Ingredient Name: Lotus Root or Lotus Rhizomes (Fresh) Traditional Chinese Name: 蓮藕 (liánǒu) What is this? The root of the lotus flower that grows underwater It is usually long (can grow up to 4 feet in length) and brown in colour and resembles the shape of a squash The interior is lighter in colour and… Continue reading Lotus Root
Category: Ingredients
Tofu
Ingredient Name: Fresh Tofu or Bean Curd Traditional Chinese Name: 豆腐(dòu fu) What is this? Tofu is made from soybeans It is coagulated soy milk that is cut into blocks Tofu is available fresh or processed or pre-cooked It is a food or Chinese origin Tofu can be as steamed, stewed, fried, braised, fermented, made in… Continue reading Tofu
Pork Bones with Winter Melon Soup
Soup Name: Pork Bones with Winter Melon Soup Traditional Chinese Name: 冬瓜湯 (dōng guā tāng) Introduction: This is a common summer soup to relieve heatiness and cool down the body. There are a variety of additions you can add to make this soup flavourful and unique. The winter melon is also an ornamental soup… Continue reading Pork Bones with Winter Melon Soup
Salted Duck Egg
Ingredient Name: Salted Duck Egg Traditional Chinese Name: 鹹蛋 (xían yā dàn) What is this? Preserved duck eggs that are either soaked in brine or damp salted charcoal (hence, the black coloured eggs) They are used in a variety of Asian cultures and dishes (including soups, Chinese mooncakes, stews, and as a condiment) The egg… Continue reading Salted Duck Egg
Winter melon
Ingredient Name: Winter melon, white gourd, or ash gourd Traditional Chinese Name: 冬瓜 (dōng guā) What is this? Winter melon is actually a vine grown fruit that is eaten as a vegetable The melon itself can grow to be very large, hitting 1-2 m in length and 30 pounds at full maturity Both young and mature… Continue reading Winter melon
Bok Choy
Ingredient Name: Bok Choy or Chinese Cabbage Traditional Chinese Name: 白菜 (báicài) What is this? Bok Choy is part of the cabbage family and is often called chinese cabbage It has thick, white stalks and dark green leaves that have a round shape Bok choy is available as mature bok choy or baby bok choy… Continue reading Bok Choy
Chinese Yam (dried)
Ingredient Name: Chinese Yam (dried) Traditional Chinese Name: 淮山 (huái shān) What is this? A type of yam that has been dried and cut into length-wise pieces It is tasteless and looks very similar to white chalk How do I prepare it? Soak in cold water for at least 30 minutes Where can I buy this? You… Continue reading Chinese Yam (dried)
Solomon’s Seal Rhizome (Yuzhu)
Ingredient Name: Yuzhu, Polygonatum rhizome, Fragrant solomonseal rhizome, Solomon’s Seal Traditional Chinese Name: 玉竹 (yu zhu) What is this? A type of rhizome that is dug up, dried, and cut into thin, length-wise pieces Adding yuzhu to Chinese soups will sweeten the soup and balance heatiness The term yu zhu literally translates to “jade bamboo” How do… Continue reading Solomon’s Seal Rhizome (Yuzhu)
Chinese Yam (Fresh)
Ingredient Name: Fresh Chinese Yam, Nagaimo, Yamaimo, Japanese Mountain Yam, Korean Yam, Dioscorea Opposita How do I prepare it? Where can I buy this? What is the cost? Chinese yam costs around $1.50 CAD for 2 medium sized roots Any benefits? It is often used in combination with meats and other Chinese herbs to help digestion and regular… Continue reading Chinese Yam (Fresh)
Papaya
Ingredient Name: Papaya Traditional Chinese Name: 木瓜; (mù gua) What is this? A relatively large, tropical fruit (ripe papaya can weigh from 1 pound to over 5 pounds each). The fruit is ripe when it feels soft and the skin has turned from green to an amber yellow-orange. The flesh of the fruit is juicy… Continue reading Papaya