Double-Boiled Sweet Papaya Soup

• Half-ripe papaya, peeled and chopped
• Ginger, a small slice, crushed
• (Silver wood’s ear mushroom, ngun yee)
• (Red dates, hoeng jo, rinsed and seeded)

If using mushroom, soak it, preferably for several hours; clean it of any dark debris. Crush the sugar to bits by placing it in a cloth or plastic bag and hitting with a hammer or rolling pin. Place all ingredients in top pan of a double boiler over simmering water; cook 1 to 2 hours. The papaya will gradually generate its own broth. When the chunks have softened to the point of disintegration,