Double Steamed Asian Pear & Almond Dessert Soup

My double steamed asian pear and almond dessert soup

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the arrival of autumn means special treats to keep you thriving through the dry and cool months. This dessert soup is not only delicious, lightly sweet and vegan, but it also serves a medicinal purpose! Here’s what’s in it:

• Asian pears (鸭梨) alleviate chronic cough, ease chest pain, and dry throat.
• White wood ear (雪耳) moisturizes the Lung, promotes fluids, and benefits the skin. 
• North and south almonds (北杏仁，南杏仁) stop cough and expel phlegm.
• Ginger (生姜) is warming and great for digestion.
• Rock sugar (冰糖) tonifies Qi and stops cough.
• Water (水) is good for everything!

Enjoy this soup hot or cold, it’s yummy both ways!

Below is the full recipe à la Chinese Soup Pot.com

Recipe: Double Steamed Asian Pear Almond Dessert Soup

5.0 from 2 reviews

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Recipe type: Dessert, Soup, Dessert Soup

Author:Sharon Lee

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 2 hours

Total time: 2 hours 10 mins

Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 
• 2 Ya Li Asian pears
• 2 tsp south almonds
• 1 tsp north almonds
• 1 small snow fungus, soaked overnight
• 2 slices of ginger
• 1 rock sugar, slightly larger then the size of a golf ball but smaller than a tennis ball
• 4 cups of water

Instructions

1. Wash, core, and quarter each ya li Asian pear lengthwise. Cut each quarter slice in half again. Line pear slices on the bottom of a porcelain double steamer.
   
2. Cut the soaked snow fungus to small pieces. If the center is hard, dice it to small pieces so they can cook and soften during the cooking process. Spread them over the pears in the double steamer.
   
3. Wash, drain, and sprinkle the bitter and sweet almonds over the snow fungus in the double steamer. Add the ginger slices and rock sugar on top.
4. Add 4 cups of water into the double steamer and cover with the double steamer lid.
   
5. Optional: Seal the top of the double steamer with a plastic food wrap (e.g. saran wrap). This is to prevent steaming water from splattering in later on.
6. Place a metal steam rack or a pair of chopsticks at the bottom of a large stainless steel pot. The pot must be big enough to fit the porcelain double steamer inside. Place the double steamer inside the stainless steel pot. Add enough water so that it comes up to about 50 – 60% of the height of the double steamer.
   
7. Place the stainless steel pot over high heat until the steaming water boils. Reduce the heat to Low and simmer for 2 hours. When done, remove the plastic food wrap and serve.