Thanis Lim

All Rounder Chef and Food Journalist

Gingko nuts, Barley, Beancurd Sheets and Quail Eggs Sweet Soup

Traditionally, this sweet soup (tong sui) is usually made for pregnant ladies and is thought to give the babies a fairer skin. I decided to do more research on the health benefits of the ingredients.

Barley has recently been researched to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Barley is also good for your bladder.



Gingko nuts, are considered lung soothing and is prescribed in TCM for bronchitis, asthma, cough, and numerous other conditions. It is also said to be good for the brain and memory boosting. The recorded use of ginkgo seed in China for food and medicine dates back 2,000 years. Although one should not eat more than 8 gingko nuts per day, as too much can be toxic.



Chinese medical practitioners have used quail eggs for thousands of years to successfully combat allergies such as rhinitis (sensitive sinus or nose) , asthma, hay fever, spasmodic cough and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. More recently they have been used in Russia and Poland, and they are widely available from pharmacies in France, Switzerland and Germany.



It's no wonder this recipe has been passed down for generations as a nutritious soup. Now let's get cooking~~



Ingredients:
1 cup Of China Barley(中国薏米)
2 packets Of Ginkgo Nuts (白果) - can buy from fridge section of Hua Ho near their fresh mushrooms.
1 Packet Of Bean Curd Sheet(腐竹) - buy from dried foods section
1 can of quail eggs - can find in most canned food sections
200g Rock Sugar To Taste (add more if you want it to be sweeter)
2 Litres Of Water
Few Pieces Of Pandan Leaves, wash and tied into knot
1 Egg, lightly beaten

Directions:

1. Rinse barley in several changes of water until water runs clear.
2. Place barley in a stock pot with water and pandan leaves, bring to boil and low the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, marinate the ginkgo nuts with 1-2 tablespoons of castor sugar and set aside. At the same time, drain and wash the quail eggs from the can, then soak them in water with 1-2 tablespoons of sugar.
4. Soak the beancurd sheets in water until really soft. If not soft enough, add 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate soda to the water. (This step is crucial for silky soft bean sheet skin)
5. When the barley water is done, removed the pandan leaves and add in the bean curd sheet and simmer on medium heat for about 20 minutes.
6. Next add in the rock sugar and ginkgo nuts then continue to simmer for about 10 – 15 minutes depending on how scattered you want the bean curd sheet to be.
7. Lastly, add in the beaten egg and stir until well combined .
8. Add the quail eggs, stir well, then kill the heat. Serve it warm.

Made this recently and I added fresh lotus seeds for more health benefits ;)
12 comments

12 comments :

  1. Oh wow! This is what we had in Kristie's house! Nice. I thought the brids egg were somekind of jelly. Haha

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  2. would you have know that I collect gingko nuts just a block from my place here? hehehehe... the ang mohs will have to look out for this "crazy asian lady with a plastic bag & gloves" this coming Dec! hahahahahaha....

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  3. haha! Yes I did read a lot bout those but I din expect SHanny will also go around collecting gingko nuts!

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  4. gingko expensive mar! any way if can get fresh one why not eh? hehehehe....

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  5. Gingko's pretty cheap in Brunei .. 2 packets Singapore dollars for $2.

    I recently added lotus seeds .. they are 0.70 a packet.. lol

    I guess in Swiss .. they are bound to be more ex...

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  6. Anonymous12:56 PM

    weeter... i want~~

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  7. Yes blacksnail~ I'll pass you some if I make again... yee suan and siew vun already got theirs when we go kuala lurah~ haha

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  8. Anonymous1:37 PM

    hey, i spent hours browsing through your blog. such good read. i'm a foodie too, btw. and proud to say, i made pretty good fu chuk tong shui. hehe ^__^//

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  9. Great to meet a fellow foodie and glad you like my blog :)

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  10. Anonymous8:01 PM

    nice to meet you too. funny i had difficulty finding bird eggs or quail eggs here in sydney so i had it substituted with chicken eggs :p

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  11. Anonymous1:12 AM

    Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

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  12. Anonymous12:29 AM

    I should digg your post so more people can look at it, really helpful, I had a tough time finding the results searching on the web, thanks.

    - Norman

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