| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 60 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 1150 | 2g | 0g | 273g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 240g | 4g | 11g | 0.05g |
Something magical happens when you marry the hearty produce of earth with the bracing freshness of the sea. That’s what I find so captivating about our Water Caltrop Soup, a vibrant, vegetable-packed dish that mirrors the timeless appeal of New England’s seafood – robust, comforting, and deeply nourishing.
A Recipe Inspired by Nature with a Touch of Sophistication
When you live in Portland, Maine, the coastline serves as both inspiration and larder. And it was with my feet in the sand and the sounds of the Atlantic ringing in my ears, I realized how perfectly the subtle flavor of Water Caltrops could blend with the robust, sweet essence of rock sugar and the distinct tang of red dates.
This Water Caltrop Soup incorporates goji berries known for their immune-boosting and anti-aging properties, alongside lotus seeds with their rich profile of minerals and nutrients. The inclusion of dried longans, snow fungus and a fragrant pandan leaf, lends this soup a burst of complex flavors.
The Healthful Comfort Food
In every spoonful of the Water Caltrop Soup, heartwarming comfort meets nutritional powerhouse. Every ingredient carefully chosen in this recipe has a purpose, creating a synergy that boosts well-being. For instance, lotus seeds are a wonderful source of protein and antioxidants, while the snow fungus has been celebrated in traditional medicine for its ability to improve skin health and boost the immune system.
Dishes like this are a love language. They’re about bringing people together around the table to enjoy hearty, honest food. Delectable as a starter, this soup works wonderfully alongside a crisp garden salad or a serving of roasted vegetables. If you’re feeling adventurous, try it as a light albeit flavorful accompaniment to a decadent Maine lobster roll, and taste the splendiferous blend of land and sea on your palate.
So, whether you’re seeking an everyday recipe, a comforting winter warmer, or a healthy crowd-pleaser, the Water Caltrop Soup checks all those boxes, effortlessly combining the satiating goodness of earth with a whisper of Maine’s Atlantic charm.
What You’ll Need
- 10 Water Caltrops
- 8 cups of water
- 1 cup of rock sugar
- 1 tablespoon of red dates
- 1 tablespoon of goji berries
- 1 cup of lotus seeds
- 1 tablespoon of dried longans
- 1 pandan leaf
- 1 tablespoon of snow fungus, soaked and chopped
Method
Step One
Firstly, wash the water caltrops thoroughly. Once cleaned, boil them in a pot of water until they’re soft. This could take around an hour. After the water caltrops have softened, remove from the pot and let them cool before you peel open their shells. Set the peeled caltrops aside.
Step Two
Take a large pot and pour in 8 cups of water. Add to the water 1 cup of rock sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
Step Three
Next, add to the pot 1 tablespoon of red dates, 1 tablespoon of goji berries, 1 cup of lotus seeds, and 1 tablespoon of dried longans. Stir the ingredients in the pot to mix them evenly with the sugar water.
Step Four
Take your pandan leaf, tie it into a knot and add it into the pot as well.
Step Five
Add the peeled water caltrops to your soup mix in the pot. Following this, add also the pre-soaked and chopped snow fungus. Stir your soup to ensure everything is mixed properly.
Step Six
Now, bring everything to a boil over high heat. Once the mixture starts to boil, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for at least two hours.
Step Seven
After two hours, the ingredients should have cooked thoroughly and created a thick, delightful soup. Turn off the heat and serve your nutritious and tasty Water Caltrop Soup while it’s still warm. Enjoy!
