| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 2 hours | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 275 | 16g | 5g | 16g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 4g | 3g | 22g | 1.6g |
When I think of comfort food, my mind leans toward the hearty Italian-American classics that graced my childhood dinner table. However, I’ve discovered that comfort food isn’t always about pasta and red sauce. It’s about food that nourishes the soul, stirs the senses and transports you back to a cherished place or time. With both its nostalgic and nutritive value, the recipe for Lotus Root and Pork Rib Soup has become one of my absolute favorites.
A Generous Brew of Health and Flavor
This soul-warming soup brims with the goodness of lotus roots, pork ribs, and a myriad of flavor-enhancing ingredients such as ginger, garlic, goji berries and red dates, each contributing their unique medicinal and nutritional properties. Lotus roots, known for their rich content of dietary fiber and vitamin C, are the star of this nourishing brew, adding not just crunch and sweetness, but also significant health benefits. In traditional Asian medicine, lotus roots are believed to have lung cleansing properties, making this soup not just tasty but essentially therapeutic.
A Melting Pot of Cultures
Despite coming from a predominantly Italian-American cooking background, I have come to appreciate and embrace the myriad flavors from various cuisines around the world. Much like how my ancestors would slow cook their ragùs, the Lotus Root and Pork Rib Soup, a classic dish in Chinese cooking, requires a meditative patience that allows the flavors to develop and the ingredients to tenderize.
Paired with a side of simple stir-fried greens or tofu, this soup makes for a wholesome and balanced meal. If you’re in the mood for indulgence, try pairing it with Chinese fried rice or perhaps a quick sesame ginger tofu stir fry. It’s a versatile soup, comforting in its familiarity, yet exotic in its composition.
Next time your soul yearns for comfort food, or when the winter chill has taken over, remember this recipe for Lotus Root and Pork Rib Soup and trust that it will warm your heart, fill your stomach, and keep you in good health.
What You’ll Need
- 1.5 lbs pork ribs
- 10 cups water
- 1 medium-sized lotus root (approximately 2 lbs)
- 4 dried red dates
- 10 dried goji berries
- 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 carrots
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pinch of white pepper
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Method
Step One
Prepare all the ingredients: Cut the pork ribs into single pieces, peel and slice the lotus root into 1/4 inch-thick pieces, peel and slice the carrots into similar sizes, and chop the ginger and garlic.
Step Two
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ginger and garlic slices and stir fry until fragrant. Add pork ribs to the pot and stir fry until slightly browned.
Step Three
When the pork ribs are slightly browned, add the sliced lotus root and carrots to the pot and mix well. Then, add 10 cups of water to the pot. Bring the soup to boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer.
Step Four
After the soup starts to boil, add the dried red dates, dried goji berries, and sea salt to the pot. Stir well, cover the pot, and let it simmer over medium heat for about 45 minutes to an hour until the pork ribs are tender and the flavors have melded together.
Step Five
After simmering, season the soup with a pinch of white pepper and taste it. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference – add more salt if needed.
Step Six
Serve the soup in bowls. If you prefer, garnish the soup with chopped fresh cilantro just before serving.
