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Monday 11 March 2013

Easy Soup Series : Post #2 - Lotus Root Soup with Pork Ribs




Lotus root is so expensive these days.  The freshmart outside my house is selling it at almost $12 per kg; the wet market just marginally cheaper.  But it is a very nutritious veg - rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C and B6, potassium and thiamin. 



My mum always say lotus root nourishes the lungs, has cooling properties, and is suitable for those on a light diet.  For me, it has always been a comfort soup - in the same category as ABC soup and watercress soup.



I always cook this soup with either chicken feet or pork ribs, as well as a good handful of peanuts and black beans.  A pot-full of goodness there. 
 

 
 
 
Lotus Root Soup with Pork Ribs
 
  • 350g young lotus root, peeled, halved and cut into diagonal slices
  • 500g soft pork ribs
  • A good handful of peanuts, soaked overnight or at least 4 hours
  • Black beans, rinsed and soaked for 20min
 
1.  Blanch the pork ribs in boiling hot water to remove the scum.  Rinse and drain.
 
2.  Boil 1.5litre of water, add the ribs, lotus root slices, peanuts and black beans.  Bring to another boil, turn down the fire and let simmer for 2 hours, stirring occassionally.
 
3.  Season with salt and pepper, switch off the fire and let the soup sit for about half an hour.  Serve hot or warm.
 
 
Recently, I have discovered another way to cook this soup - instead of plain pork ribs, I use roast pork bones.  It totally AMPS up the flavour of the soup - my family loves it, and we fight for the melt-in-your-mouth roast meat that literally fall off the bones!  But of course, that would be quite an expensive pot of soup - but hey, it's all for the family rite :)



19 comments:

  1. This is comfort food for us... love lotus root soup.

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  2. Hi Esther, I'm so happy that there will be a series of soup postings from you. My hubby loves soups but quite selective cos' we found out that some soups can cause high uric acid level in blood. Will check out your soups postings. TQ.

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    1. Hi Kimmy, i found these two websites about controlling uric acid and prevention of gout - might be useful for you and hubby http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gout-diet/MY01137, http://tcmdiscovery.com/2007/7-10/200771018359.html.

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    2. Thanks, will keep in mind the info and glad so far our uric acid levels are well under control.

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  3. Hi Esther! My comfort soup too! I have 2 more ingredients: dried cuttlefish and dried red dates...

    Although I'm a Hokkien, I grew up having soup with Cantonese influence and flavour as we were very close to our Cantonese neighbour. There would be such soup every dinner... yum

    Looking forward to your other soup posts...

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    1. Ah my mum also like to use dried cuttlefish in her soups, but i have never gotten the hang of using it, strange. Soup everyday - that sounds wonderful!

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  4. Esther, I love lotus root in soups! Hey, I should add beans too next time :)

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    Replies
    1. Definitely, PH. The black beans add another depth of earthy flavour to the soup.

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  5. Been having soup over the last week too. The Weather has been crazy! Cooling down this week thanks for the rain. I agree the price of lotus root is now quite dear. So I stick to old cucumber or bitter gourd usually. I wouldn't mind having some of yours though!

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    1. Hi Kelly, old cucumber can also be pricey, especially coz i like to use two big ones in my soup to give it that extra flavour. Old cucumber soup with roast pork bones - yum!

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  6. I like to drink this soup too, mum used to make it for us when we're younger. I also like to eat the lotus root, I used to be able to eat a whole big bowl of tht.

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    1. Yea, i love to eat the lotus root too, especially with some chili soy sauce.

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  7. Can I exchange my easy baby ABC soup with you? Hehehe.. This is one type of soup that I like to cook, almost once in every week..

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    1. Lotus root soup once a week? Lots of nourishment for the family there :)

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  8. This is my son's fav. Yours has one extra ingredient, the black beans. Will try adding them the next time. Waiting for the price to come down, I have stayed away from this for 2 weeks already because of the recent price hike ;-))

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    1. Hi Adeline, black beans are one of the superfoods that are rich in protein and calcium so its good to add to the soup. Adds an extra depth to the soup too. I tried to stay away too, but always succumb coz we love it so much haha.

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  9. Lotus root soup is one of my family favorite soup. Never try to cook with black beans before, will try your version next time. Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Esther. Yes, do try adding black beans, it makes the soup extra flavourful.

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