Sweet Potato Soup With Sterculia Seeds

This afternoon, I decided to make this Sweet Potato Soup Dessert with Fresh Lily Bulbs, Ginkgo Nut and Sterculia Seeds. Usually this Sterculia seeds are most commonly found in Cheng Teng(which is a local Singapore Dessert). Both Fresh Lily Bulbs and Sterculia Seeds are of good cure to smooth throat and cough.


Sterculia Seeds (澎大海): Brown and wrinkled in appearance and sweet and cold in nature, sterculia seed was traditionally used to soothe a sore throat and cough, but in addition, helps clear the intestine and assist proper bowel function. Sterculia seed has also been shown to lower blood pressure.

Ingredients:
1 Sweet Potato, cubes
10 Fresh Gingko Nut(白果)
10 Dried Longans (桂圆肉)
2 Fresh Lily Bulbs (鲜百合)
6 Sterculia Seeds (澎大海)
2 Slices Ginger
Some Pandan Leaves

Methods:
1. Soak the Sterculia Seeds in large bowl with some warm water until the seeds burst out with brown jelly like substances.
2. Wash the Fresh Gingko nut and marinate it with 1 teaspoon of sugar.
3. Wash and peel the Lily bulbs then soak in some water to remove the dirt.
4. Wash, peel and cut the sweet potato into small cubes.
5. Bring a pot of water(about 1 litre) to boil then add in all the ingredients, turn to low heat and simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the sweet potato is soft.
6. Add some some rock sugar to taste then serve warm.

Notes: Sterculia Seeds can be bought at most Chinese Medical Hall.