Barley and Winter Melon Soup
薏米冬瓜汤 · TCM Wellness · Vegetarian · Light
HydratingLight
Ingredients
- pearl barley — 1/3 cup (70 g), rinsed
- winter melon — 500 g, peeled and chunked
- dried shiitake mushroom — 2 pieces, soaked and sliced
- ginger — 3 slices
- salt — 3/4 tsp, to taste
- sesame oil — 1/2 tsp, to finish
Steps (beginner-friendly)
- Rinse the barley, then soak it in warm water for 10 minutes while you prep the rest.
- Bring 7 cups of water to a boil with the barley, ginger and shiitake slices, then simmer covered 12 minutes.
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Tip: Winter melon is very mild — the shiitake and ginger carry the flavour, so do not skip them.
Tradition note: Barley (薏米) and winter melon are a classic 'cooling' pairing (清热) in Chinese summer home cooking — traditionally served lightly warm, not iced.
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