Saturday, September 3, 2016

FOOD: SNOW FUNGUS AND GINGKO BILOBA DESSERT RECIPE

Hi Foodies, =)

I have finally drag my feet and come up with the recipe for Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis).  This is a traditional beauty food that dates back to Tang dynasty where royal concubine Yang Guifei (713 to 756) who is one of China's famed four great beauties favourite food to maintain her beauties and youth.  

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis) is consider as a tonic food which is widely use in medicinal food.  It has contains protein, fat and various amino acids, minerals and glycogen that can strengthen the immune system and thus help maintaining youthful beautiful skin =)

Snow fungus with gingko biloba is not difficult to cook but it is not easy to find fresh ingredients from this rural place I am currently in.  Also thanks to a reader who asked me for this recipe or else I will probably buried this somewhere in the back of my mind.

Snow fungus with gingko biloba recipe- Asian beauty food secret
Snow fungus with gingko biloba

The video version is here 

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis) tastes exactly like bird nest, also help the skin texture to be more hydrated, for anti aging and is a popular ingredient for traditional sweet dessert.  It is also called the "poor men bird nest".  Yeah, I am not rich to afford ginseng, don't like to be picking uncountable amount of bird's fur from the bird nest and doesn't want to contribute to increase in demands for bird nest.  

Besides, I admit that I like any plants ingredients that promises youthful skin without breaking my bank.  Beauty is also about inner health and also using the suitable skincare products which really makes sense since Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis) appears in medicinal and beauty products but of course the effect is better eaten =).

So, let's get into details on the recipes and ingredients.


gingko biloba
gingko biloba 
gingko biloba shells. If you buy the one fresh with the shells, then it is painstaking removing the shells.  Most of the time, I keep nails for this reason.  Also use a nutcracker or use a hammer like I did XD.

gingko biloba
gingko biloba 

This is the gingko biloba out of the shells . Please make sure the remove the skin or else it is going to be bitter. The one I have is about to dried up so please excuse the wrinkles look.

gingko biloba
gingko biloba
gingko biloba in the shells.

gingko biloba
gingko biloba
Please make sure to cut the gingko biloba in half and remove the 'heart'.  The heart is 'poisonous' and should not be eaten. Also limit your ginkgo biloba to not more than 10 else it will be overloading your body.  Gingko biloba eaten in moderation is good to lower blood pressure and also for anti aging XD.

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis)
Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis)
This is the snow fungus or the scientific name Tremella fuciformis that I use.  Make sure the one you use is soft and easily breakable.  There are some others that feel, taste and smell like plastic which is far from being a delicious dessert.  Yes, this one is from China but please do not get the wrong idea.  There are quality stuff that comes from China but also many fakes and low quality stuff.  We only know how to differentiate good and bad stuff based on experience.  Snow fungus as you know is a type of fungus XD that grows from trees.  It is called with many names such as yin er, white jelly mushroom, Yin Er, Shirokikurage in Japanese and etc for the gelatinous white look.

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis)
Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis)

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis)
Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis)
DO not use the whole flower or else it will be too much. Half of the flower is enough for 4 bowls.  Stay away from those snow fungus that is too white. A good quality one is yellowish.

Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis)
Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis)
Soak the half snow fungus with boiled water (make sure the boiled water is in room temperature) and you will get something like this. Then break it up with scissors for it to be like bird nest.




Snow fungus with gingko biloba recipe- Asian beauty food secret
Snow fungus with gingko biloba

Snow fungus with gingko biloba recipe- Asian beauty food secret
Snow fungus with gingko biloba

Snow fungus with gingko biloba recipe- Asian beauty food secret
Snow fungus with gingko biloba

Snow fungus with gingko biloba recipe- Asian beauty food secret
Snow fungus with gingko biloba



SNOW FUNGUS AND GINGKO BILOBA DESSERT RECIPE

Recipe for five bowls (those Chinese rice bowl)

Ingredients: 
Snow fungus 20g (Tremella fuciformis)(soak in water and break it up)
rock sugar 200g
plain water 1250ml
gingko biloba (cleaned and removed the 'heart')

1.  Put the snow fungus, plain water and gingko biloba cooked inside the slow cooker for 4 hours on medium heat.  I am using the small slow cooker which doesn't have any heat control.

2.  After 3 hours, add in rock sugar and cooked until the until rock sugar got dissolved.


I am sorry that I could not find good red dates. You can add red dates(make sure the seeds are removed). So, who said Asian cooking is difficult?  So, if you are wondering what are the secret to youthful looking skin, Snow fungus (Tremella fuciformis) with gingko biloba is one them.  It is like a long term botox for your skin XD .

If you find eating sea cucumber not your thing, then this gelatinous, jelly-like and plants can probably be your anti aging food.

So, do let me know if you like this recipe or find it interesting?






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However, the opinions expressed here are my own and honest as always.



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Have a great day =)