Snow Fungus Soup with Pears (bīngtáng yín’ěr dùn xuělí, 冰糖银耳炖雪梨) is a Chinese dessert soup usually served on special occasions like Chinese New Year.
Snow fungus and pear sweet soup is a common dessert in most Chinese families. This dessert is good for treating dry cough as snow fungus helps to nourish the body, lungs, and stomach, and because red dates contain loads of vitamins. It is a very quick and easy to prepare this nourishing dessert by simply simmering the ingredients for 30 minutes. It is very refreshing to serve this sweet soup chilled and it quenches thirst, especially in our humid weather.
The main ingredients are, you guessed it, snow fungus and pears.
Snow fungus, also known as ‘white wood ear’ is a natural tree fungus. You’re probably more familiar with the more common wood ear fungus which is a dark brown colour.
Snow fungus is a naturally sweet ingredient that tends to detoxify the body and replenish energy. It can also cure coughs and is said to be anti-inflammatory as well. Both these properties play a role in reducing inner body heat, also known as yang.
The addition of pear in the soup provides benefits such as micronutrients which are important for cardiovascular health. Pears are also used in Chinese cooking for their moistening and cooling effect. Snow fungus and pear soup is a great way to counter hot weather during the summer months.
xoxo, Joe
2-3 Asian pears
1 cup dried snow fungus
2 tbsp dried goji berries
¼ cup Chinese red dates/jujubes
8 cups water
rock sugar to taste
We have been stressing as Lunar New Year is so close to us but yet we have prepared anything. This year Lunar New Year falls on the 22nd of January, we just remove our Christmas tree and now we need to hurry to get prepared for it. To save some time like to create a simple dish for the eve of the Lunar New Year.
Eggplant is one of those polarizing vegetables—people either adore its soft, spongy texture or absolutely detest it. Us, we use to dislike eggplant, but until we discovered the steaming method. Eggplant is often fried with a lot of oil and ends up being too heavy for my tastes, but steamed eggplant is light and a wonderful vessel to soak up the sauce. It’s a fast way to cook eggplant, and even more important, the texture transforms and becomes silky soft, tender, and creamy.
About Eggplant
Cooking eggplant can be equally frustrating, though. That beautiful and vibrant purple color can turn ugly grey after cooking. So, how do you keep eggplant purple after cooking without frying it? The answer is salt and/or vinegar. Once the eggplant is cut into pieces, it starts to oxidize when it meets the oxygen in the air. For this dish, we soaked the eggplant in vinegar water for 3 minutes. Eggplant is very absorbent, but since we are steaming them, it’s ok to soak them.
How do you steam them?
Prepare your steamer, we use our traditional pot and steam tray, and turn the heat on low to preheat the water in the steamer. Cut each eggplant crosswise into 3 equal sections, then cut each section into 8-10 bite-sized strips. Fill a large container with about 2 quarts of water and 1/4 cup of white vinegar. Soak the eggplant in the vinegar water for 3 minutes. Then remove the eggplant and squeeze as much liquid out as possible. Arrange them on a heat-proof rimmed dish and carefully lower them into the steamer. Cover and turn the heat on high. Steam the eggplant for 8-10 minutes.
When the cooked eggplant is slightly cool, you can start plating them up. Start by laying the cooked eggplant, and the finely minced garlic, spring onion, and chili on top. Your only seasoning is soya sauce, thus when it comes to choosing one, we will choose one that is less in sodium avoiding it overpowering the taste of eggplant. Evenly pour the sauce over the eggplant.
The key step of this dish is here, heat 3 tablespoons oil in a small saucepan until it starts to smoke lightly, and then carefully pour it over the garlic and scallion. You’ll get a wonderful sizzle and delightful aroma.
1 pound Japanese or Chinese eggplant (450g, about 3 eggplants)
1/4 cup white vinegar
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 scallion (minced)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
We got attracted by the colorful photo that everyone took from this MENTAL: Colours of Wellbeing exhibit that is displayed at the Art Science Museum till 26 February. Without much reading of the description of what the exhibition is about we got our tickets and head over to it. Unlike what we think that colors are actually for happy things, on the other hand, the uses of colors in these interactive installations tackle weighty topics like addiction, anxiety, and suicide by contemporary artists, scientists, makers, and designers from around the world.
They want to use colors to discuss the bleak and dark depressing issues. upends our assumptions about how an exhibition on mental health should look and feel. Rather than focusing on illness or treatment, it instead celebrates the kaleidoscopic spectrum of mental well-being, It was objective enough that the organizers want to create an ongoing conversation with the younger generation struggling with mental health and were supported by experts who helped explore the topics more deeply. Where it really does get our attention on it.
A few exhibitions provoke us to recognize our emotions. Even Fear features a weather balloon in a pink cage building up pressure slowly. When an explosion seems imminent, it deflates. Can you take the pressure from watching the process? Are you feeling anxious? Even Fear evokes anxiety and mimics the stress from everyday life. That’s how we feel when we look at the balloon.
Sometimes the words “mental health” could be dark, gloomy, and perhaps intimidating to us. However the Wheel exhibit, for instance, is a giant “hamster wheel” that will encourage you to get on your feet to run, walk, crawl or use your hands to clock as much distance as possible. Consistent effort is required to keep your mental health in check and improve – move well, feel well. The assistance there helps to key us safe on the wheel and at the same time encourages us to not be scared and try it.
The floating inflatable heads: Go Mental caught our eye. However, when you stand inside you will experience of night terrors, the history, and the future of Josh Muir. Pop your head inside the characters to hear the soundscapes of Josh’s mind created by the University of Melbourne students. It’s weird but a good experience.
Unlike other exhibitions, MENTAL has no recommended flow or fixed narrative. Visitors are encouraged to gravitate to whichever artwork they choose. Everyone can take different routes, just as each person’s journey is different from another’s.
Our take on MENTAL – it’s a fun exhibit to get your hands full and your hearts lighter. It’s a great exhibit to bring your old fashion minded parents or friends for a walk, letting them see a different side of mental.
Mental: Colours of Wellbeings
Address: ArtScience Museum, 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974
Opening Hours: 10 am to 7 pm daily, last entry at 6 pm
One of the most exciting parts for the start of the year is a new set of Pantone colors of the year. One that caught my eye was Viva Magenta – according to Pantone, Viva Magenta is “a vibrant, attention-getting hue that emanates heat and energy.” This hue is said to be “intriguing and inviting,” making it a perfect choice for those who want to make a bold statement.
Vibrant and full of energy, Viva Magenta is the perfect color to inject some life into your home. Designers and homeowners alike can use Viva Magenta in lots of ways. You can bring it into your space as a velvet couch or feature wall. Or you might opt for a more neutral palette, using it only as one pop of color by using scatter pillows, a throw, or a lamp. Because it is such a strong color, too much Viva Magenta can be overwhelming. Use it sparingly in small doses to achieve the desired effect.
xoxo, Joe
Credit | All shots are used on the mood board via our Pinterest boards.
