Ingredient of the month: August

Hair Seaweed

Also known as black flossy moss, black moss or black hair, its fine threads unsurprisingly resemble hair and are tasteless. They are called 'Fat Choy' in Cantonese, which sounds very much like 'Good Fortune', thus making it a must for Chinese homes during Chinese New Year.

Slippery after being cooked, it is a traditional ingredient used in some vegetarian Buddhist dishes, soups and as a garnish. Stewed dried oysters with black moss is a New Year favourite for the Chinese. Braised pork with black moss and chestnuts tastes great and stewed turtle with black moss is a delicious and nutritious dish.