Yen Can Cook ~ Purple Rhoeo Barley Drink
Look at my barley drink in purple hue, isn’t it lovely? I pimped up my boring and pale barley drink with Purple Rhoeo leaves that my mom gave me, which she usually did when she boils this “Leong Sui”.
Purple Rhoeo, or sometime also know as Oyster Plant, Moses in The Cradle, Boat Lily, and etc. It’s Chinese name are 荷包兰，蚌兰花、蚌花、如意兰, and etc. It is a tropical sculptural herbaceous perennial plant with waxy lance-shaped leaves. The plant can be easily identified by the dark green colour on the upper surface of the leaves and purple colour on the under surface. It’s flowers are axillary, white, inside pair of boat-shaped (or clam-shape) bracts.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Purple Rhoeo can help to cool the body and it is also believed to be good for cough, cold, whooping cough and nose bleed.
This Purple Rhoeo is quite a common garden plant as it needs low maintenance, so you might have it in your garden or it can be found in wet market also.
Ingredients (Serve: 3-4)
150g barley / 1.5 packets
4-5 Purple Rhoeo leaves, rinsed and cut into 10cm lengths
100g candied winter melon
5-6 Pandan leaves, rinsed and tied into knot
2000ml water
Rock sugar to taste
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Step 1: Rinse the barley, drain and set aside.
Step 2: Place barley (Step 1), candied winter melon, water, Purple Rhoeo leaves, and Pandan leaves in a large pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 – 45 minutes until the barley expand and soften.
Step 3: Add in rock sugar to taste 5 minutes before turning off the heat. Stir until the rock sugar is fully dissolved. Discard the Pandan leaves and Purple Rhoeo leaves.
Step 4: Serve hot and chilled.
HAPPY COOKING! #dudukrumahagain #stayhealthy
I did not know that these purple rhoeo leaves can be used in cooking…wow…that is really something new for me!
Tekkaus, I learn this from my mom too 🙂
I have seen this plant before and never knew that it is safe to consume!
PH, I believe you have seen this plant before as this is quite a common garden plant, perhaps you can check around your neighbourhood.
As usual, you cook with an ingredient I’ve never seen before…lol. ^_~
Kris, I learn this from my mom too 🙂
My neighbours have lots of these plants and I thought the shades of green & purple are pretty. Now I want to plant and buy from Sg Buloh after the EMCO. Thanks for sharing this wonderful drink.
TM, while waiting to get your own plants, you may ask your neighbour if you can have some to boil barley drink. ^__^
First time I see this @_@
KY, cool right!
In Mexico this is commonly used as medicinal. Western science has recognised the benefits but the knowledge is not widespread.
These elders… they know.
Linda, wow, thank you for enlighten me how Mexican use this plant!