再食魚肚，再種油麥菜 I Grew therefore I Cook
今期文章介紹自製羅宋湯、魚肚浸絲瓜以及自製蝦米，並提出用康寧煲來煲中藥的建議，並介紹一個新的浴室水刮。最後，文章分享了種植油麥菜的經驗，以及利用乳酪杯製作植物標籤的建議。
This article covers the preparation of homemade Borscht, Fish Maw and Luffa Poached in Broth, and homemade Dried Shrimp. It also introduces the idea of using a Vision pot for making Chinese medicines, and discusses a new squegee purchase. Finally, it shares insights into growing Indian Lettuce and suggests making plant labels from yoghurt cups.
1. 魚肚浸絲瓜 Fish Maw and Luffa Poached in Broth
又吃魚肚！之前做過冬菇炆魚肚、雞扎和粟米魚肚羹，今次在一間小型亞洲超市買了絲瓜，便做了魚肚浸絲瓜，配料還有自己烘製的蝦乾呢！
My fish maw journey continues after making Braised Fish Maw with Shiitake Mushrooms, Chicken Wrap with Fish Maw, and Fish Maw and Sweet Corn Soup. Got some Luffa from a local Asian supermarket and poached it in broth with some fish Maw and some homemade dried shrimp.
2. 羅宋湯 Borscht
用上週做的牛肉湯，炮製了羅宋湯，配上麵包就是一個美味溫暖的冬日午餐。
I used last week’s homemade beef broth to make Borscht – perfect for a delicious winter lunch with a piece of bread.
3. 自己烘製蝦米、蝦乾 Homemade Dried Shrimp
趁超市減價時買來雪藏蝦，用焗爐以低溫 (80C) 烘製蝦米、蝦乾。一次過大量製作，能源支出比較划算。
I bought a large amount of frozen prawn when they were on discount, and dried them in the oven at low temperature (80C). To make it more energy-efficient, I make them in bulk every time.
4. 康寧「中藥煲」 Using Visions Pot to make Chinese Medicine
煲中藥，無藥煲又不想刻意買一個？不怕！家裏有個康寧煲！
How to make Chinese medicines without a specialised pot? No problem! Use a Visions pot! (Note: Chinese medicines must be made in non-metal pots.)
5. 無縫易取水刮 Effortless Shower Squeegee
水刮在英國是浴室必備之物，沐浴後刮牆壁，減少浴室的水氣，防止發霉。之前買的一個雖然外貌不俗，但接駁口的污漬無法清除，加上其貼在牆上的方法令它較難取下，結果有些訪客怕麻煩不用，導致浴室發霉。換了這個新的，無縫、易取，希望情況有所改善。
A bathroom essential in the UK, squeegees minimise post-shower moisture, keeping mold at bay. The one I’m currently using looks good but I was couldn’t clean the stains at the connection points. Moreover, it’s wall mounting method makes it somewhat challenging to remove, leading some guests to avoid it and causing mold to develop.. Switching to this new one, which is seamless and easy to take down from the wall, in a hope of improving the situation.
6. 用乳酪盒做植物標籤 Using Yogurt Cups as Plant Labels
播種後為植物做標籤，非常重要。一來植物幼苗小時候的樣子都很相像，容易搞亂。二來，這亦有助我快速檢查植物生長的速度。植物標籤不需要買，用乳酪杯剪下來，再用油性箱頭筆寫上資料，風吹雨打字都不會甩掉。我也有用過木雪條棍，看來較美觀，但濕水後會變色，字體變得難看，比較適合少雨水的季節和種植期較短的植物如菜心、芥蘭等。
Labeling plants after sowing is crucial for two reasons. Firstly, seedlings often look similar in their early stages and it may cause confusion. Secondly, it helps me quickly check the growth rate of my plants. I don’t buy plant labels. I just cut them from yogurt cups. Then I use an oil-based marker to write the information. I’ve also used wooden lolly sticks before. They look nicer, but are not weather-resistant, making them only suitable for seasons with less rainfall, or plants with shorter planting periods such as Choi Sum and Kai Lan.
7. 油麥菜：冬播春吃 Sowing Indian Lettuce
去年十一月播種的油麥菜，在寒冬降臨前長了根，冬天沒怎麼生長，到春天開始長大，成為最早有得吃的自家菜之一。今年照板煮碗，並提早在十月播種，以及多種多幾棵。
Last November, I sowed some Indian Lettuce seeds. Although it didn’t grow much during the cold winter, it thrived as spring arrived, becoming one of the earliest homegrown treats from my garden. This year, I am repeating the process, starting it in October and planted a few more to boost the yield.
