Gibson is sick. Doctor said it looks more likely a viral infection, that causes the runny nose, the cough with phlegm and the fever. Although Gibson mentioned 'throat pain pain' doctor says the throat aren't swelling (I sigh relieve).
I still do pretty much believe in the chinese 'heaty' believe. Gibson could maybe got too 'heaty' from the generous varieties of snack I shower him with.
Green beans are believe to be very 'cooling' and not recommended for weak ladies or ladies in the 'time of the month' to consume in large amount. I remembered my mom saying green beans and barley soup are good for fever. If you don't like green beans simply drink the soup it works the same. :)
GREEN BEANS AND BARLEY SOUP
Ingredients
- 140g Green beans, washed and drained
- 70g Pearl Barley, washed and drained
- 3 pandan leaves
- 1500ml -1700ml water
- Rock sugar to taste
Method
- Bring water to boil, I used 1700ml. Put in green beans and, barley and bring to boil again.
- Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer for 40mins or until green bean softs or 'open'.
- Put in pandan leaves and continue to simmer for 10mins. (not too long or the pandan may cause bitterness)
- Remove the pandan leaves and add rock sugar to your preferred sweetness.
- Off the heat, serve warm.
Serve about 5-6pax
I like to use pearl barley shown in the photos above, you can get it at any major supermarkets. I usually wash the barley with tap till water runs clear, usually about 4 washes.
Another, receipe that we commonly see when we fall sick is Mee Suah Soup. Gibson, like me, does not fancy porridge. What else can he eat other then porridge since he is a sick boy now? It is non other but the Mee Suah Soup. It is one of his comfort food and I believe it is most too, because of its salty taste.
I cooked this in a hurry therefore I did not note down the measurements. I will just put down the ingredients I used and you gauge the amount depending on the quantity you need. :p This dish is great for sick and when you don't have appetite. Of course is it great for any other days too! Oh and traditionally, chinese has to eat Mee Suah on their Birthday with hard boiled eggs! It is how flexible this dish is, you can just throw in and ingredients you have in your fridge!
Mee Suah Soup
Ingredients:
- Ikan Bilis
- Dried scallops
- Mee Suah
- Water
- Button mushrooms, sliced
- Fish cake, sliced
- Carrot, sliced
- Broccoli, cut into bite size
- Minced lean pork
- Cornflour
- Soy Sauce
- Oyster Sauce
- Dash of pepper
- Seasame oil
- Salt to taste (optional)
- Chives Oil (optional)
- Spring Onions for garnishing (optional)
Methods
- Marinate minced pork with cornflour, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil and dash of pepper. Set aside.
- Bring the water to boil in a pot, put in ikan bilis, dried scallops and continue to boil on lower heat for at least 30mins. (longer taste better but watch the level of water in the pot)
- Once soup is done discard the ikan bilis but keep the dried scallops if you want to eat them.
- Put in broccoli, carrots, button mushrooms and fish cake and boil for another 3mins.
- Scoop the minced meat into small chunks and drop it into the soup. When meat turns white (pretty fast) , put in the mee suah and continue to boil until mee suah soften and broccoli softens.
- Add salt and chives oil if you want it tastier.
- Transfer to bowl and sprinkle some spring onions.
- Serve hot.
Other Common ingredients used.
Thinly Fried eggs cut into strips, hard boiled eggs, bak choy, chai sim, cabbage, onions, chicken fillet diced, shitake mushrooms, etc etc...
If this is to be my lunch I will put in crabsticks and luncheon meat! My loves... yumms
