Friday, January 23, 2015



Get healthy in 2015 with recipes considered to be power food by different ethnic New Zealand communities

Traditional Chinese recipes as specific as a doctor’s prescription, says restaurateur

One of the herbs used in her recipe, wai sun, or dried dioscorea, is said to be good for the reduction of "heatiness", which is sometimes a result of eating too much heaty food such as the oily deep fried fish and chips from your neighbourhood takeaways. Cantonese herbal duck is available at Pearl Garden Restaurant.
However, advance orders are required because of the time it takes to prepare the dish.

Mabel Kan says the herbs in her restaurant's duck recipe help the mind and blood and one is an antioxidant. Picture / Chris Gorman
To maintain overall good health, the Chinese don't usually take vitamin pills or health supplements - they drink soup.
Mabel Kan, whose family have been running Pearl Garden Restaurant in the Auckland suburb of Newmarket for 40 years, reckons the Cantonese herbal duck soup is one of the best to boost the immune system.
"Drinking healthy medicinal soup goes back to traditional Chinese medicine [TCM] practice," said Ms Kan.
"Recipes are often written by TCM physicians who specially formulate the herbs for different purposes, just like how Western doctors write prescriptions," she said.
The meat or bones are double boiled to ensure the soup gets the maximum goodness available.
The Cantonese-style herbal duck is a recipe the Kans have been using for maintaining good health in the family.
"It's got herbs meant to help the mind and blood to the lungs and even an antioxidant," said Ms Kan.
Chinese also have a concept of "heaty" and "cool" food to help balance the yin and yang of the body, she said.
One of the herbs used in her recipe, wai sun, or dried dioscorea, is said to be good for the reduction of "heatiness", which is sometimes a result of eating too much heaty food such as the oily deep fried fish and chips from your neighbourhood takeaways.
Cantonese herbal duck is available at Pearl Garden Restaurant.
However, advance orders are required because of the time it takes to prepare the dish.

Cantonese herbal duck

Ingredients
• 1 whole duck
• 2 pieces dong quai: sliced Chinese angelica - for mind and blood health
• 2 pieces dong sum: radix codonopsis - to restore breath
• 1 tablespoon gee ji: goji berries - for eye health
• 2 pieces bark kee: dried astragulus - for lung health and beauty
• 2 pieces wai sun: dried dioscorea - an antioxidant and for reduction of "heatiness"
• 2 pieces dried seedless longan
• 5 pieces dried red dates
• 3 slices fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons Shaoshing Chinese rice wine
• Spices at larger Chinese supermarkets or medical shops.

Method
1. Wash duck and dry thoroughly, then rub half a tablespoon of salt into cavity.
2. Mix all the herbs and divide them into two - one part to be stuffed into the duck, the other part into the soup.
3. Add the ginger slices and a tablespoon of Chinese rice wine.
4. Secure the duck with a skewer, place into a steam-proof bowl and cover with water.
5. Add the remaining part of herbs and a tablespoon of Chinese rice wine.
6. Cover the whole bowl with cling film and place on a steamer.
7. Steam for three hours.
Pearl Garden Restaurant is at Level 1, 1 Teed Street, Newmarket

Get healthy in 2015: Duck soup's benefits no quackery

Get healthy in 2015 with recipes considered to be power food by different ethnic New Zealand communities

Traditional Chinese recipes as specific as a doctor’s prescription, says restaurateur 


Hold this date free

Saturday 21st March from 11.00am to 3.00pm.

Under the Same Moon at 8.00pm

If you are free on Tuesday 3rd of March and would like a night out, we are currently holding tickets to see the following shows on the same evening  – $26 to see both shows :
 
1.           2 Farting Sisters  at 6.00pm
2.           Under the Same Moon  at 8.00pm
 
There are 20 tickets available for both shows.   If you wish to attend, please contact Connie Kum made by Direct Credit to:
 Reference – your names.   Be sure to get in early.
 
 

Year of the SHEEP

Year of the SHEEP 
at Lucky Fortune Restaurant.
532 - 536 Mt.Albert Rd.  Three Kings

Sat. 28 February 2015 @ 6.30pm

        Adults: ~  ~  ~  ~ $35
               Child: ( under 12 ) $25                          BYO


Don't be disappointed - book a table now ( $420 x 12 )
 
Connie  : 09 625 8611 ; E cojay@xtra.co.nz.

Blueberry picking at Blueberry Country,

NZCA – WOMEN’S GROUP
OUR FIRST MEETING FOR 2015 WILL BE A TRIP ON
SUNDAY, 8 FEBRUARY
We will be visiting the following places –
Blueberry picking at Blueberry Country,
229 Central Road South, Ngatea
If you wish to pick your own blueberries, please bring a container
with a LID.  The cost is only $10 per kg
Followed by a visit to Ngatea Water Gardens to have a picnic lunch. 
You can either BYO lunch or purchase food from the cafe.
Things to see at Ngatea Water Gardens, museum that houses over 11,000 beer, soft drinks and unusual cans;  a gift shop with crafts and souvenirs;  home to some of NZ’s oldest turtles, birds, fish, peacocks and ducks;  fountains and waterfalls etc.   Bring your camera.
 
COST FOR THE TRIP WILL BE $30.00 PER PERSON WHICH COVERS THE BUS TRIP AND ENTRANCE FEE TO NGATEA GARDENS.
We will be taking a 48 seater bus and will be leaving from Meadowbank 8.30am (SHARP) and returning to Auckland approx. 5pm
 
If you wish to come along, please contact:
Myra Lowe:          Phone No. 444 0717
Email:                    nzca.womensgroup@gmail.com
 
BE SURE TO BOOK EARLY BY MONDAY, 2ND FEBRUARY
 

Chan Ah Chee

Over this anniversary weekend, at Shed 10, will feature several pioneers who helped shape Auckland.
 
One of the persons featured is Chan Ah Chee who came to Auckland in 1877.
He became an entrepreneur and moved in Auckland's main leading European and Chinese social circles. His 6th generation descendants are still living in Auckland.











Photos courtesy Nancy Young







ANNE LAI

NZCA – WOMEN’S GROUP
IF YOU HAVE A FREE AFTERNOON AND WANTING TO GO OUT FOR THE AFTERNOON, HOW ABOUT VISITING A WONDERFUL GARDEN, FULL OF LOVELY COLOURS AND BLOOMS OF FLOWERS.
ONE OF OUR MEMBERS, ANNE LAI FROM THE WOMEN’S GROUP HAS KINDLY DECIDED TO OPEN HER GARDEN TO MEMBERS FROM THE WOMEN’S GROUP TO VISIT HER GARDEN
ON
SUNDAY 18TH JANUARY 2015
FROM
1.30pm to 3.00PM
HER ADDRESS IS:

GREENLANE