Lotus Root & Pork Soup
User Reviews
5
Lotus Root & Pork Soup
Description
This soup starts by blanching pork ribs or neck bones to achieve a clear broth. Lotus root is peeled and cut into chunks just before cooking to prevent oxidation. Optional ingredients include rehydrated kelp seaweed and goji berries which add subtle layers of flavor and nutrition. The broth simmers gently with ginger slices to infuse warmth and depth.
The final soup has a clean appearance with tender pork falling from the bones and slightly crunchy lotus root providing texture contrast. The flavors are delicate, balancing the mild pork richness with the earthiness of lotus root and brightness from ginger and scallions.
This soup is suitable as a nourishing dish often served during colder months or as part of a meal to provide warmth and light nourishment. It pairs well with plain rice or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork ribs 900g, or pork neck bones
- 1 cup seaweed optional, re-hydrated, kelp variety
- 1 pound lotus root (450g)
- 4 lices ginger
- 1 tablespoon Goji berries optional, dried
- 12 cups water cold
- salt (to taste)
- 1 scallion (finely chopped)
Instructions
- Soak the pork ribs or neck bones in cold water for an hour. Then rinse thoroughly, drain, and set aside. Boil a large pot of water, and add the pork bones to blanch. Once the water is boiling again, let it cook for 1 more minute. Turn off the heat, drain, and wash the pork bones clean. This process will give you a really clear (rather than cloudy) soup.
- If you want to include seaweed, you can buy dried seaweed (kelp/kombu) or rehydrated seaweed at your Asian supermarket. Just try to avoid seaweed "knots," as they tend to be a bit sandy. It takes at least 3 hours to rehydrate dried seaweed, so you can soak it the night before. Once soaked, simply wash the seaweed in a basin of water until the water is completely clear. Then drain, and it's ready to add to the pot.
- Right before you're ready to start the soup, peel the lotus root and cut it into large chunks (If you do this too early, the lotus root will oxidize, similar to a potato. So hold off until you're about to start cooking).
- To start the soup, add all the prepared ingredients to a stock pot: the (blanched) pork, seaweed, lotus root, ginger, goji berries and cold water. Bring it to boil, and then immediately turn it to down to a slow simmer. Cover and let it simmer for at least 4 hours...the longer the better. Reheating it the next day will make it even more flavorful. Add salt to taste, and serve with chopped scallion on top.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 176 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 176kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 42mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 72mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 338mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 10IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 16.8mg | 19% |
| Calcium | 32mg | 3% |
| Iron | 0.9mg | 5% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
