Double Boiled Pear with Rock Sugar 炖冰糖雪梨

This is one of the traditional Chinese dessert that we often drink during hot weather, it's known to nourish the body and ease long chesty cough. You may serve it hot or chilled, either way I can assure that your little one will enjoy sipping the drink or eating the soft sweet pear. :)

I boiled this today after studying a few recipes, I decided to go with the traditional method of double boiled so the nutrition will be locked in the drink.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Serving for: 3-4 small bowls

Ingredients:

1 Pear 雪梨一粒

1 rock sugar 冰糖适量 (adjust according to liking)

3 rice bowl of warm water 温水三碗

8-10 apricot kernel  (optional) 南北杏8-10颗 (可免)

The making:

1. Fill a pot with water to about half the height of the double boiler, boil on stove. The pot itself shall be taller than the double boiler in order to fit.

2. Clean, peel the pear, remove the core and cut into wedges, put the pear and apricot kernels into the boiler except the rock sugar.

3. Add enough warm water to cover the pear (I used 3 rice bowl of warm water), close the lid and boil for 1.5 hours (or you may shorten to 75min). First 10 minutes on high heat then switch to low heat.

4. On the final 5 minutes, add the rock sugar and let it boil for short while before turning off the heat.

My trusted double boiler, a gift from my old ma when we first moved into the house.

Cooling dessert, anyone? 

Tips!

If you don't have a double boiler, just boil using a normal pot with the lid on. You may reduce the time to about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Important to Note...

While the apricot kernel is known for its benefit in treating cough, it must not be taken in excessive amount. When serving to my little ones I only serve them the pear and the soup, but personally I enjoy chewing these crunchy kernels.