擂茶 Lei Cha

擂茶 Lei Cha - contains peanuts, sesame and soy, dairy free
*vegetable toppings are subject to availability and may be different to what is shown in the photograph

擂茶 Lei Cha is a vegan Hakka dish supposedly originating in the Three Kingdoms period. The preparation, plating and absence of meat suggests that it is informed by buddhist practice. It is simple and methodical to prepare, however each vegetable is sliced and cooked individually, which is time consuming. The “tea” has a minimum of seven herbs blended together. Some people may find that the tea has a bitter taste, this is normal. Bitterness is an essential part of Chinese cuisine, it cleanses the palate and is also believed to help remove toxins from the body.

This isn’t traditionally listed as a postpartum food, I assume in part because it is normally made with tea leaves, but I wanted to make a version of this dish, without caffeine, as it is so abundant in colour, texture and vegetables.

Preorders can be collected on Saturday 26 October, 11am-4pm from The Physics Room, The Arts Centre Registry Building (Additions), 301 Montreal St, entry from Market Square.

Other tongue 餓 ghost kitchen is a postpartum takeaway food service. A culinary honoring of birthing, menstruating bodies, and for anyone who feels like they need some inner healing.

This food has been informed by 坐月子 Zuo yue zi postpartum cuisine (specifically Hakka dishes) and Chinese medicine philosophy, as well as the food I ate during my fourth trimester. I don’t consider this to be a traditional or a modern interpretation of Chinese confinement cuisine, it is simply my way of cooking and intended to bring primordial heat and healing to you or a loved one.

When I designed this menu I was taking into consideration my own limitations as a fulltime carer of our 1 year old, and thinking about what kinds of food and services people already have access to. I wanted to make food that you wouldn’t necessarily make for yourself, especially if recovering from birth, surgery or illness. All the dishes have a medicinal quality to them.

Purchasing the full menu for a friend or family member means they have a few meal options and would make a thoughtful gift. The congee and pork can be frozen and eaten later. Though these meals are inspired by 坐月子 Zuo yue zi, they are delicious for anyone needing a comforting and nutritious meal.

$1 from every dish purchased across the two events will be donated between Refuge Victoria and Aviva (Christchurch Women’s Refuge).