Soup Name:  Pork Broth with Black Eye Beans and Black Moss
 
Traditional Chinese Name: 髮菜眉豆豬骨 (fa cai méi dou zhū gǔ tāng)
 
Introduction:

It is particularly good for the wet spring season as it dispels moisture from the body.  It is a very neutral soup that is hearty and ideal for children (careful on the peanuts).  I would caution using black moss in excess.  Although it’s traditionally meant to be combined with these types of soups (and dishes), black moss is said to have no nutritional value – so definitely consume with caution.

What Ingredients are required?

1 pound of fresh pork bones
10 g black moss or fat choy
30 g Euryale Ferox (or fox nuts)
50 g peanuts
50 g black eye beans
4 honey dates
2 slices of fresh ginger
2-3 L of water

How do I prepare it?

  1. Pre-marinate the pork with the salt and let it sit for at least an hour (overnight is best)
  2. Begin boiling your soup water
  3. Boil a separate pot to blanch pork
  4. Wash and soak black moss
  5. Wash and soak beans, peanuts, fox nuts (multiple times to remove sulphur) and honey dates
  6. Blanch pork
  7. In boiling soup water, add all the ingredients together (except black moss)
  8. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 2 hours
  9. Add black moss and boil on high heat for 15 minutes
  10. Serve and enjoy!

Any benefits?

  • Ideal soup for nourishing body and lungs
  • Dispels excess moisture from the body
  • Neutral soup ideal for children

Any precautions?

  • Black moss has no nutritional value, but is regarded as an integral part of some types of Chinese soups
  • Take caution when serving peanuts to children (at least 1 years of age)