Green Bean Soup
Green Bean Soup – A Naturally Detoxifying Dessert
Green bean soup (also known as mung bean soup) is a classic Chinese tong sui (sweet soups). A cooling (yin) dessert, this sweet soup is light yet nutritious and can be taken warm or chilled.
Grean been are a good source of fiber and protein and also contain vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C,E, K)and minerals like iron, magnesium and potassium. It is also a traditional home remedy to clear toxins, reduce body heat and promote healthier skin.
As I am writing this, air quality in Singapore has crossed over to the unhealthy range of above 200 P.S.I. so it is good to drink more detoxifying soups like this to flush out toxins from our body. Another detoxifying drink that is very easy to cook is barley water which I often make at home.
Although green bean soup has many health benefits, it is not suitable for some people. Those who have diarrhea and cold hands and feet should avoid eating green beans.
Ingredients for green bean soup
If you want, you can also add the following ingredients into the green bean soup:
Gingko nuts (for convenience, use vacuum packed ones)
Lotus seeds
Candied winter melon
Sago pearls are flavorless on its own but once you add it into desserts like this, it gives the soup a smoother and more interesting texture. It also enhances the appearance of the soup, don’t you think?
Do you like green bean soup with a thicker consistency or a more watery texture? For a thicker soup, mash up some of the softened beans with the back of a spoon against a sieve. Ladle up some soup and pour it through the sieve to let the mashed beans return to the soup. (refer to recipe for full instructions) Simmering for a longer time will also thicken the soup. And if you like a more watery consistency, turn off the heat once the beans have softened and opened up.
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
A delicious dessert soup to cleanse, detox and cool the body.
Author: Yvonne Oh
Recipe type: Drinks and Desserts
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 1.8 liters water
- 150gm green beans - soaked overnight or at least 2 hours, rinsed and drained
- Rock sugar/honeycomb sugar - to taste
- 3 tbsp sago seeds
- 5 Pandan leaves (screwpine leaves) washed and tied into a knot
- Optional Ingredients:
- Vacuumed packed gingko nuts or lotus seeds
- Candied wintermelon
Instructions
- In a soup pot , add green beans and knotted pandan leaves and bring to a boil. Remove the pandan leaves once it starts boiling, You can also leave it in the pot and remove it when the soup is done but it will be messier that way. If your pot is deep enough you may cover it. Otherwise, partially cover the pot when you simmer as the soup boils over easily.
- Add in the optional ingredients now if you want to. Simmer for about 45 minutes or until the soup reaches your desired consistency. Add water if necessary.
- Optional step: If you wish to thicken the soup, place some of the cooked and softened green beans in a strainer over a bowl. Mash them with the back of a spoon so the soft part of the beans go through. Then ladle up some soup and pour it through the strainer to let any remaining mashed beans return to the soup. Pour the strained beans in the bowl back into the soup pot and discard the leftover husks in the strainer.
- Add in sugar and sago pearls. Stir gently and let simmer for a few more minutes. Turn off heat. Serve warm or chilled.
Cooking Notes
Tip:
It is advisable to consume this dessert on the same day. I find that it
will turn mushy if you keep it refrigerated till the next day.
