Old Cucumber Soup (老黄瓜汤)

Most Chinese slow cook soup (煲汤) are cook very similarly, with similar side ingredients, only replacing the main ingredient. This soup is good for nourishing the lungs.

Ingredients

1. 1 old cucumber(老黄瓜)
2. 5 dried red dates
3. 1 honey date (金丝蜜枣) (dried dates with sugar)
4. 200 grams pork ribs
5. 2 dried scallop (干贝)
6. 4 dried oyster （蚝豉, 蚝干）
7. 1 tablespoon wolf berry (枸杞子) optional
8. 2 liters water (some will dry up during cooking)
9. Salt

Method

1. Wash the cucumber by rubbing gently over running water.  Cut the cucumber into half lengthwise.  Using a spoon, scrape and discard away the seeds, and cut into chucks.
2. Wash all other ingredients.
3. Put all ingredients, and water in a soup or stock pot, and put to boil.  Turn down flame to very small and allow to slow boil for 3-4 hours.
4. Add salt to taste, and serve hot.

You can also cook this in slow cooker for 4 hours.