Jujube Chinese Red Date - DIY recipes

Jujube Chinese Red Date

Jujube date is a very popular Chinese fruit. You can enjoy them fresh  during the fall (August~ October) in the northern China. But most frequently, they are enjoyed from dried fruit.  Here are some easy recipes that are popular in China.

Several commonly used ingredients mentioned below can be found at PierMall.com:

For Health Benefit

(1) For those who always feel fragile, tired, with poor sleeping quality
Jujube Chinese Red date, Dragon Eye fruit, Lotus seed

Wash all three ingredients
Cook Lotus seed in water until soft,
Add jujube date and dragon eye fruit for another 10 minute.
Sweeten with sugar, rock sugar or honey.

(2) For those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol
Use 8 oz celery, 30 pieces of red date. Wash and boil in water together for 30 minutes. Drink and soup and eat both celery and date

(3) For those recovering from sickness
Cut lamb into small pieces, add shelled peanut and date, cook over medium heat for 2 hours. Eat both meat and soup

(4) For those with excess brain work: poor sleep, forgiveness
Cook jujube date 4 Oz, dragon eye fruit 4 Oz , walnut 2 Oz and American ginseng slices 0.5 oz together until soft, add 2 Oz honey mix together. Cool and stored in a air tight glass jar. Enjoy 1 table spoon morning and evening.
Honey Peanut & Jujube

4 Oz Dried jujube date,
8 Oz Honey,
4 Oz raw shelled peanut
3 cups of wate
Wash jujube date and peanut thoroughly, soak in the warm water for 15 minutes
Combine 3 cups water and peanut, cook over gentle heat until peanut is soft
Add jujube dates to the cooking pot, continue to cook for about 10 minutes or until jujube dates are soft but not overcooked.
Drain the water and set the jujube date and peanut aside to cool

Add honey to the pot and cook over low heat until it becomes sticky
Add jujube dates and peanuts into honey, and mix them well.

Jujube date paste
Cook dried jujube dates for 10 minutes or until it is soft.
Make sure do not overcook the dates, which might turn sour when overcooked.
Puree the cooked dates in a food processor,
Sweeten with sugar.
Work the date into smooth paste.

It can be used as spread for the bread, filling for many other things, such as: bread, cookies, dessert and steaming bun

Snow mushroom Jujube soup
10 Jujube dates
20 Goji berries
20 peanuts or dried lotus seeds
2 large Snow Mushroom

1 cup of Medium grain rice or sweet glutinous rice
Sugar (black, brown, white or rock sugar)

Soak the snow mushroom in cold water for 4 hours
Wash the mushroom thoroughly. Break into smaller pieces and remove the hard part of the roots. Wash jujube date, Goji, and peanut/lotus seed
In a pot, combine rice with peanut/lotus seed, cook over high heat until boiling
Reduce the heat to medium heat, add snow mushroom and continue to cook
When the peanut/lotus seed is soft, add jujube date and goji berry and continue cook until they are all soft . Snow mushroom will become gel like

Cook in slow cooker: This soup can also be cooked with slow cooker. Just add all ingredients except jujube dates into the pot, Cook over high heat for 3~4 hours, or low heat for 5~6 hours until all ingredients are very soft. Add jujube and continue cook for 30 minutes before serving.

Tips: When the jujube date is overcooked, it will turn sour. So add the jujube in the last step. Usually it only requires 30 minutes’ cooking time. If you use black or brown sugar, the soup will turn dark color

The rice can be optional in this recipe. When there is no rice added, the soup is more gel like.
Eight Treasure soup
This is the traditional Chinese dessert. There are many different forms: Ba Bao Soup, Ba Bao Rice Cake, ba Bao Rice Dishes etc The ingredients are all similar: there are at least 8 different things. Sweet rice, Red beans, jujube date are the essentials. For the rest, you can add anything. Just use your imagination. Here is one example:
6 Oz Sweet rice (gluto rice)
4 oz Chinese Red bean (Or Japanese Azuki bean,. But it can be replaced with red kidney bean). Green Bean (mung bean) can also be used.
2 oz Raisin
2 Oz raw shelled peanut
2 oz Lotus seed
2 Oz pine nut (or walnut)
2 oz dried jujube date
2 oz Longan dragon eye (shelled dried whole fruit or seedless dried fruit)
4 cups of water.

Wash sweet rice and soak in water for 3 hours
Cook sweet rice, peanut and lotus seed in cold water until they are soft
Add longan dragon eye, jujube date and pine nut and continue cook until the rice become sticky
Add raisin and sugar, cook for another 15 minutes
Serve.

Tips: If you want to release the flavor of dragoneye into the soup, add it early. The fruit itself will become tasteless if cook for long. If you want to keep the sweetness in the fruit itself, add the longan fruit together with jujube.

Slow cooker version:
This soup can also be cooked in a slow cooker:
Add water, rice, peanuts and lotus seed in the slower cooker Cook in High for 3~4 hours, or in Low for 4~5 hours
Add dragon eye fruit, jujube red date and raisin and sweeten the soup 30~45 minutes before serving.

Tip: If you like thick soup, add less water. You can always start with less water and adjust the water during the cooking.

Walnut jujube date soup

This soup is great for the brain function
4 Oz medium grain rice
0.5 oz walnut
O,5 oz jujube date
Wash all three ingredients
Soak the rice for 30 minutes
Add rice and walnut with 4 cups of cold water
Cook over high heat until boiling
Add jujube date, cook over low heat for 45 minutes
Sweeten

Ginger Jujube soup

0.2 Oz Ginger slices
0.6 Oz dried jujube dates
1 oz brown sugar or black sugar

This is an excellent drink for the cold day. It is also good for the relief of Dysmenorrhea symptom in winter.

Wash date thorough,
1. Slice ginger
2. Add all three ingredients in 2 cups of water
3. Cook over high heat until boiling
4. Turn down the heat, continue cook 10 minutes
5. Drink the soup

Luo Han Guo (Momordica grosvenori) - Herb Supplement and Sugar Substitute

Luo Han Guo, the fruit of Siraitia Grosvenori, is native to southwestern China. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of lung congestion, colds, and sore throats, and gastrointestinal disorder. It is considered by the locals to be a longevity aid.

Besides its medicinal purposes, it has also been used as a sugar substitute. The unique chemical components of this sweetener in Luo Han Guo are triterpene glycosides, known as mogrosides. Mogroside is 300 times sweeter than cane sugar and is extremely low in calories. Due to its low caloric attributes, Luo han Kuo extract has been used used as a sweetener in beverages and cooked food. It is a stable, non-fermentable additive ideal for diabetics.

Luo Han Guo products are usually available as extracts and dried fruits. You may find both forms at piermall.com

Luo Han Guo Beverage @ piermall.com

This dissolving block of extract can help you feel cool and relaxing as it moistures the throat and lung, reduces the chronic cough.

Luo Han Guo Dried Fruit @ piermall.com

Below recipe was adopted from www.healthy-chinese-recipe.com. Thank you.

Ingredients:

2 Luo Hang Guo
1 cups water

Procedure

1. Clean Luo Han Guo. Crush into small pieces. Put in a teapot,add water.
2. Bring to a boil, turn to low heat, continue to cook 10mins.Turn off heat.
3. After finishing drinking, add additional water, repeat cooking 3-5 times.
Luo Han Guo Tea - Diabetes Recipes

Serving Method

Serve as tea. Serve whenever you want to drink. At least drink one cup in the morning and in the afternoon.

Beneficial Function

To moisten the lung and relieve cough. To reduce blood sugar and blood pressure. Suitable for diabetes caused by depletion-thirst in lung and stomach, especially those who have complication of hypertension.

Ban Lan Gen Cong Ji (Isatis Beverage)- Instant Herbal Tea

The Isatis plant, a source of indigo dye, originated in China and India. The Isatis Root (Ban Lang Gen), derived from the root of the isatis plant, has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. Isatis root cools the blood and treats damp-heat jaundice conditions. It is used in combination with other herbs to treat the common cold, sore throat, mumps, respiratory aliments, other febrile diseases and malignant tumors.

Isatis root became a well known household name during Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) breakout due to its supposed toxin-killing capabilities in combating the disease. Respiratory infections such as mild tonsillitis, bronchitis, and sinitis don’t stand a chance when confronted with isatis root. Containing tryptanthrim (bacteria killer), banlangen fights inflammation and reduces fever, but its effectiveness depends on timing: “The secret is to use banlangen at the first sign of a tickly throat,” says Stefan Brinkop, a Beijing-based TCM practitioner. In Traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that Ban Lang Gen acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and alleviates infections of the intestinal tract, kidney and bladder. Herbs such as Ban Lang Gen, chamomile and dandelion are well known kidney enhancers.

Ban Lang Gen (Isatis root) is available in powder/crystal form. Dried and cut isatis root is also available at many Asian supermarkets.

Depending on the condition being treated, a typical dosage of isatis root is 10-30 grams. There are no known drug interactions with isatis root. Only large dosages or long term usage can be toxic to the kidneys. Always consult with your physician before taking Ban Lang Gen (Isatis root) or any other herbal supplement.

Find the on piermall.com

PierMall.com First Thanksgiving Sale!

Thank you everyone for your continious support. PierMall will not be able to do well today without all our wonderful customers. As our thanks to you, hundreds of PierMall products are all on sale from 11/26~12/02.

Come visit us today for PierMall.com’s first Thanksgiving sale!

Korean Seaweed Snack vs Japanese Seaweed Snack

Today, I encountered an inquiry from one of our customers. He bought a bag of Japanese seaweed snack

.

and a bag of Korean Seaweed snack

Both are great stuffs…. for us. However, it doesn’t seem so for this customer, who was new to the seaweed. After devouring the super crispy Korean seaweed, he found the taste of Japanese seaweed is quite dull and thought it was stale.

The truth is, the Japanese seaweed snack is just as fresh as the Korean seaweed snack. The difference in the taste was due to how the seaweed snack was made by Korean or Japanese.

Korean style seaweed snack are usually seasoned and roasted in sesame oil (most of the time). You can do one experiment. Use a fine tissue, or simply use your finger to rub the Korean seaweed gently, you will see/feel the oil on the tissue or your finger.

Because the Korean seaweed has been roasted in oil, it is very crispy and it stays that way very long. Japanese seaweed, on the other hand, is not added with any oil. They are simply seasoned and dried roasted, just like the seaweed nori used for sushi making. The Japanese seaweed snack is not very crispy. It gains some degree of crispy from being very dried, but you will never have a Japanese seaweed snack or nori sheet as crispy as Korean ones.

Because it is not oiled, many new comers to seaweed snacks might find the Korean seaweed is more attractive than the Japanese one.

Nevertheless, after enjoying the Korean seaweed for a while, you might find the mild, “plainer” Japanese seaweed to be just as enjoyable. You can use it to roll the rice, meat, sprinkle over the noodle, soup or eat out of packets. Many many ways to enjoy. At 4 calories per 12 strips, you don’t have to worry too much on how much calories you are taking in.

Just like Fried Chicken, it tastes great, but one day you might find a grilled Chicken to be just as tasty as the fried one……..

We love all different kinds of seaweed snack. PierMall.com carries

4 different seaweed snacks:

Korean Seaweed - Low salt - 3 bags

Korean Seaweed Snack - Green Tea

Original Korean Seaweed - 1 case

Japanese seaweed snack (light spicy)- Value pack available

PierMall.com also carry many different seaweed nori for sushi:

50 sheets seaweed nori +1 Sushi Mat (product of China)	Seaweed Nori for Sushi (China)
Seaweed Nori for Sushi (Japan)

There are many types available, available in single bag or value pack. Search for “Seaweed”

A good place to stock up Halloween candies

Free shipping at $25, these popular candies have a very good price! Close to the price offered in warehouse club.. Plus, you have something quite unique and scary enough to get some “wow”.

Nestle Halloween Assorted - Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Crunch Chocolate, 56-Ounce Bags (Pack of 2)	Wonka Mix-ups, Halloween, 64-Ounce Bags (Pack of 2)	Wonka Mix-ups, Halloween, 64-Ounce Bags (Pack of 2)
Nestle Classic Scream Halloween, 32-Ounce Bags (Pack of 2)	Nestle Classic Scream Halloween, 32-Ounce Bags (Pack of 2)	Wonka Mix-ups Monster, Halloween, 18.7-Ounce Bags (Pack of 4)
Nestle Butterfinger, Halloween, Fun Size Bigger Bag, 24-Ounce Bags (Pack of 4)	Nestle Halloween Assorted, Fun Size Bigger Bag, 21-Ounce Bags (Pack of 4)	Wonka Nerds, Spooky Halloween, 18.7-Ounce Packages (Pack of 6)

Halloween is Coming…

The Jelly Belly Boo Box

Sounds like a good item for the office or home party. Here is the description of the item:

This charming little haunted house is decorated with smiling jack-o’-lanterns and a ghost on the outside, but the best part is what’s inside! Take the roof off and you’ll find some scary-sweet Jelly Belly treats! Here’s what you’ll get:

* One 9 oz. bag Deluxe Halloween Mix
* One 8.5 oz. bag Sour Gummi Pumpkins
* One Gummi Pet Rat (random flavor)
* One Gummi Pet Tarantula (random flavor)
* One 3.5. oz Beananza bag 20 Assorted Flavor jelly belly
* Two 1 oz. bags Candy Corn

Net weight 28 oz.

Remember the jelly flop? The interesting imperfect little Jelly Fellows. If you are patient enough, you can now get a much better bargain: Buy 2 bags and get 1 free. Use code: HALLOWEE at the check out!

Buy 2 Get 3 Free Puritan’s Pride Vitamins

I like Puritan brand products: High quality, Large selection, Excellent price with beautiful presentation. Can’t pass this deal:

Pretect Identity Theft with Aurora AS890C Paper/Credit Card Shredder

So many bills, statements filled in the mailbox everyday. It is just annoying! To deposit the document properly, I just purchased Aurora AS890C 8 Sheet Crosscut Paper/Credit Card Shredder with Basket from Amazon.com for $39.99 with free shipping.

Compared the price with eBay offering, it seems Amazon ($39.99) beats eBay ($49.99) this time.

Since my previous fellow shredder broke within a month. I did some research on Amazon and found: Fellowes Shredder Oil, 12 oz. Bottle with Extension Nozzle. It supposed to help keep confetti-cut machines working at their peak.

Hope so. Let’s see.

Aurora AS890C 8 Sheet Crosscut

Fellowes Shredder Oil

Celebrate your birthday with a delicious cake - Zero Calorie!

How much I want to have that delicious cake! Oh no, that fat, sugar….
When I was searching for a good cake replacement for an upcoming birthday, I came across to these beautiful cakes, they are so beautiful and will definitely cheer up the party. The best yet, they come with zero calorie - naturally! You will stay just healthy, if not healthier.. But if you are allergic to the flower, it might be better for you to enjoy some real cake, even it is loaded with calories..
All the delicious cakes are provided by 1800flowers.com:

A slice of life?		Birthday flower cake		or a cupcake?