Winter Melon and Dried Shrimp Puree (IDDSI Level 4) | IDDSI Level 4 Care Food Recipe

IDDSI Level 4 | 40 minutes | Easy

Winter melon is one of the most common locally grown vegetables in Hong Kong, with an exceptionally high water content that makes it naturally suited for texture-modified care food. Dried shrimp (蝦米) deliver the deep Cantonese umami flavour that is deeply familiar to elderly patients, while also providing a meaningful source of protein and calcium. This puree requires no specialist equipment and is an ideal choice for home care settings.

Ingredients (2 servings)

• 400g winter melon (peeled, deseeded, cut into chunks)
• 20g dried shrimp (soaked in advance)
• 2 slices fresh ginger
• 500ml low-sodium chicken stock or water
• Salt to taste
• White pepper to taste
• 1 tsp cornstarch (only if consistency needs adjusting)

Sourcing Outside Hong Kong

For international care kitchens and home cooks outside Hong Kong, Cantonese ingredients are widely available at East and Southeast Asian grocery stores:

• United Kingdom: Wing Yip (Birmingham, London, Manchester), See Woo (London), Loon Fung (London)
• United States: 99 Ranch Market (West Coast), H Mart (East Coast), local Chinatown grocers
• Canada: T&T Supermarket (national chain), local Asian markets
• Australia: Burlington Supermarket, Tang’s, local Chinese grocers in Chinatown precincts
• Singapore & Malaysia: Sheng Siong, NTUC FairPrice (Singapore); Tesco, Mydin (Malaysia)
• Online: Sous Chef (UK/EU), Amazon.com (US), Yami.com (US)

Mixed seafood: East Asian fishmongers; Wing Yip, H Mart, T&T, and Sheng Siong carry frozen Cantonese-style seafood mixes.

If a specific ingredient is unavailable in your region, the recipe notes alternative substitutions in the Ingredients section. For dishes requiring fresh Cantonese-specific ingredients (e.g. preserved century egg, fresh rice noodle rolls), check with your local East Asian grocer before substituting — texture compliance for IDDSI levels may require specific products.

Method

1. Soak dried shrimp in cold water for 20 minutes until softened; reserve the soaking water
2. Peel and deseed the winter melon; cut into 3cm chunks
3. Pour the chicken stock and reserved shrimp soaking water into a pot; add the ginger slices and softened dried shrimp; bring to the boil on high heat
4. Add the winter melon chunks; reduce to a medium-low simmer and cook for 20 minutes until the winter melon is completely translucent and tender
5. Remove and discard the ginger slices; pour all ingredients and stock into a blender
6. Blend on high speed for 90 seconds until completely smooth
7. Pass through a fine mesh sieve to remove any fibres and shrimp shell fragments
8. Return to the pot; season with salt and white pepper
9. If the consistency is too thin, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tsp cold water) and simmer gently until thickened
10. Warm to a safe serving temperature (not exceeding 65°C)

Cultural Note

Dried shrimp with winter melon is a classic pairing in Cantonese home cooking — a combination that has appeared on Hong Kong family dinner tables for generations. Presenting this familiar flavour profile as a Level 4 puree preserves the taste memory that matters so much to elderly patients with dementia or post-stroke dysphagia, supporting both appetite and emotional wellbeing at mealtimes.

Texture Test

Fork pressure test: Passes Level 4 — the puree is uniformly smooth; when a fork is tilted over the puree it slides off slowly with no visible lumps, fibres, or shell fragments.

Spoon test: A spoonful flows slowly when the spoon is tilted; it does not run freely (which would indicate Level 3 or below).

Consistency adjustment: Too thin (runs freely off the spoon) → add cornstarch slurry and re-simmer; too thick (does not flow at all) → add a small amount of hot stock and re-blend, then re-sieve.

Notes

• Sieve thoroughly after blending — dried shrimp can leave fine shell particles that pose a choking hazard
• Remove ginger slices before blending to avoid affecting texture
• If using low-sodium stock, taste carefully before adding extra salt
• The soaking water from the dried shrimp is rich in natural glutamates — do not discard it

Nutrition

Approximately 100 kcal per serving, 10g protein. Dried shrimp are a natural calcium booster: 20g provides approximately 400mg calcium, supporting bone density in elderly patients at risk of osteoporosis. Winter melon is very low in calories, high in potassium and water content — useful for maintaining hydration and suitable for patients with hypertension.