Miss Dong had cravings for sour tastes and meat during pregnancy. After several attempts, her private chef created a new dish, with greengage plums from Erhai Lake, south of Yunnan Province, and local spare ribs as main ingredients. Seasoned with secret sauce, the braised spare ribs with carved greengage plums amazes you at every bite.

　　Sweet and plain in quality, greengage plum’s fruit is usually of large size yet with small core. Its peel is smooth, with a natural wax surface that adheres to the firm and juicy flesh. It also features crispiness, high acidity and a variety of amino acids the body needs. Since it is rich in Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Vitamin C, the semi-processed salted plum is al dente.

　　According to Compendium of Materia Medica compiled by Li Shizhen (1518–1593), “Mei” (plum) produces flowers in winter and fruit in summer. It is a fruit that is nourished by the complete influence of the Wood element. So, it is very sour in taste. It brings down adverse ascending gas, pacifies the mind, relieves cough and pain, eliminates restless and fever, stops dysentery with chill and fever, subdues swelling and removes toxic substance. It is believed to help treat 32 kinds of diseases. Besides, Shen Nong’s Great Herbal writes that “Mei is sweet and plain in quality. Associated with liver, spleen, lung and large intestine, it can astringe Qi (vital energy) and promote the production of body fluids.”