銀耳燉木瓜/Silver Ear Mushroom and Red Papaya Stew

I have been eating so much seafood and my skin has started getting some pimples recently.  So I thought I would make myself something to refresh my system and soothe my skin.  Silver Ear Mushroom and Papaya Stew is a Chinese classic dessert/stew.  You can eat it after the meal or just eat as snack.  Both Silver Ear Mushroom and papaya are well known beauty foods in China, so this stew is especially good for women.  I added some apricot kernels which you can find at any Chinatown or Chinese supermarket.  They are supposed to clam your body down and help with digestion and removing toxins from the body.  This stew can be served hot or cold, however I like it chilled.  I usually store it in the fridge until I am ready to drink it.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz dried Silver Ear Mushroom
• 1 medium sided red papaya
• 1 tbsp apricot kernels
• 1 tbsp crystal sugar
• 1 liter water

Directions:

1. Wash and soak the Silver Ear Mushroom 20 minutes before cooking.  Peel the papaya and take out the seeds.  Cut the papaya into small cubes.
2. In a medium nonstick pot, add the Silver Ear Mushroom, apricot kernels, crystal sugar and water.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to the lowest, cook for one hour and half.  Add papaya cubes, and then cook for half an hour.  Now you are done, enjoy your Silver Ear Mushroom and Red Papaya Stew!