PEAR CHENG TNG
INGREDIENTS
1 green pear, peeled, cored and halved lengthwise
1 piece dried white fungus, soaked, then rinsed well and drained
1 cup hydrated lotus seeds, available in supermarkets
2 fresh lychees, peeled
1 strip of dried agar agar, soaked to soften, then squeezed dry and snipped into short lengths
1 tbsp dried red hawthorn berries
SYRUP
1 to 2 tbsp honey
½ cup rice wine
2 cups water
METHOD
Soak the white fungus in water for a couple of hours, then drain. It will plump up and become soft and translucent. Rinse well and snip into smaller pieces.
Soak agar agar strips till they soften. Drain and snip into short lengths.
Peel, halve and remove the core of the pear
Put pear halves, fungus pieces, lotus seeds, dried red hawthorn berries, honey, wine and water into a pot, simmer for half an hour. Fungus should be soft but retain its bite, and the pears, tender and translucent.
Taste and adjust sweetness. I try to apportion a spoonful of honey per person.
Top with a peeled fresh lychee or other fruit and softened agar strips before serving. The lychee adds freshness and the agar agar strips, more texture to the dessert soup.
SERVES TWO
Dessert is low in fat, high in fibre
All fruits are healthy. However, some might contain more carbohydrates, such as banana and durian.
Portion control is the key.
Pears are low in calories and high in fibre - 100g of pear gives 58kcal and 3g of fibre.
They also contain antioxidants which protect us from free radicals, keeping us young and healthy.
(Free radicals are cell-destroying chemicals that have been linked to degenerative diseases, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and the effects of ageing.)
Dried white fungus is also low in calories and high in fibre.
A cup of fungus has 56kcal and 8.5g of fibre. A cup of fungus would help us meet 42 per cent of our daily recommended fibre intake.
In traditional Chinese nutrition, it is believed to improve blood circulation and strengthen the respiratory system.
Lychees contain antioxidants and is an excellent source of vitamin C - 100g of lychees gives 75 per cent of our daily vitamin C requirement.
Lotus seeds are a good source of protein, magnesium and potassium. They are low in fat and can be a healthy snack.
Wolfberries are high in carbohydrates but have a good amount of fibre and protein - at 7g and 8g respectively.
They are packed with a variety of antioxidants, including plant pigments called phenols, polysaccharides, vitamins A and C, beta carotene, lycopene, riboflavin, thiamine, selenium and nicotinic acid.
When eaten in moderation, these foods would be beneficial to health due to their high content of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
This dessert is low in fat and high in fibre. Most of the calories come from the rice wine and honey. Go easy on the syrup if needed.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
(per serving: 529.7g)
Energy: 273kcal
Protein: 5.3g
Total fat: 0.1g
Saturated fat: 0g
Dietary fibre: 5g
Sugar: 23.3g
Carbohydrate: 33g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 14.3mg
Bibi Chia
Principal dietitian, Raffles Diabetes and Endocrine Centre
