White Fungus papaya dessert

Ingredients:

25g white fungus

1 medium papaya ( not too ripe)

15g chinese almonds (north almond)

20g chinese almonds (south almond)

Rock sugar to taste

1 litre water

Both chinese almonds an be bought in chinese herbal shops in China Town

Preparation:

Soak white fungus overnight.  Then before cooking, just break in pieces and remove the hard part in the centre.

Both almonds also need to be soaked overnight.

Peel, seed papaya and cut in cubes.

Bring water to boil and then add all the ingredients.  Reduce heat and  leave to simmer for 2 hours.  You can use a slow cooker or better still, choose to steam this sweet dessert soup.

This is a very tasty and nourishing soup which benefits the lungs.  In Traditional Chinese Medecine, lungs is connected internally to the large intestine and externally to the skin.  So anything that is good for the lungs is good for your skin.  This soup has whitening, moisturising properties.  Recommended also when you have eaten too many fried, spicy and hot foods.  The soup will clear heat and prevent flare up of boils, black heads and acne.