easy red yeast rice soup recipe by Zhen

The first time I learned about red yeast rice (红曲米) was from Zhen, who refers to it as angkak or anka. Red yeast rice is produced when rice is fermented with a red yeast strain (红曲菌) scientifically known as Monascus purpureus.

Chinese people, especially in Fujian province, have been consuming red yeast rice to revitalize blood, reduce cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure.



The red yeast strain produces statins, that can lower cholesterol. The statins include lovastatin - which is  extracted, formulated & marketed by Merck as Mevacor for reducing cholesterol and risk of cardiovascular disease. 

These statins work by blocking action of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is involved in cholesterol synthesis.

Since red yeast rice appears to be beneficial to our health, how is about enjoying a bowl of warm red yeast rice soup to begin our (cool) day? This red yeast soup is clear and relatively bland, so it can make a gentle starter to a more flavorful main course. 

In Singapore, I could not find red yeast rice in NTUC Fairprice but have purchased it from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hall / shop.



Baby Ren enjoys ginger-flavored pink milk mixed with red yeast rice soup.



Servings: 3
Preparation time: ~ 5 minutes
Cooking time: 65 minutes

Ingredients:
♥ 1 tsp red yeast rice (红曲米)
♥ 8 red dates (红枣), pitted & soaked
♥ 2 thin slices ginger (姜)
♥ 200g meat (骨) & bone (肉), e.g. pork ribs (排骨)
♥ 1 liter water (过滤水), filtered if possible

Directions:
1. Wash and soak red yeast rice in water. Re-wash and drain.
2. Blanch bones and meats in boiling water for ~5 minutes. 3. Drain and wash.
4. Add all ingredients into a pot of boiling water.
5. Simmer over low heat for 1 hour.

Tips:
♥ Get red yeast rice from a reputable source to prevent exposure to toxic and carcinogenic Sudan Red G.
♥ For (potential) medicinal use of red yeast rice, please consult your doctor. In this post, we are merely sharing a food recipe.



Other recipes that I love:
♥ Red Yeast Rice Congee with Sweet Potato @ Chinese Cuisine Food by EchoMe
♥ Ang Kak and Ginger Chicken Soup @ Daily Cooking Quest by Anita Jacobson
♥ Char Siu duck @ Indonesia Eats by Pepy Nasution
♥ Home-Made Chinese Red Rice Wine （Foo Chow Ang Jiu) @ A Taste of Memories - Echo's Kitchen
♥ misua with red yeast rice @ What To Cook today by Marvellina



Check also our other #5minutemeal recipes.

With love,
ServicefromHeart
201403