Soup Name: Bamboo and Water Chestnut Pork Soup

Traditional Chinese Name: 竹子馬蹄豬湯 (Zhú mati zhū tāng)

Introduction:

This cooling soup is not only great for spring and summer months, but is also a tasty treat thanks to the natural sweetness of the ingredients.  The soft carrots, chewy bamboo and crunchy water chestnuts lend a surprising and fun blend of textures to this soup.  This is a relatively light soup that is easy to make and, although slightly cooling, is great for children.

What ingredients are required?

1 pound fresh pork shank
2 large fresh carrots, cut into large pieces
15 water chestnuts, washed and peeled
2 large fresh bamboo shoots, cut into slices
2 L of water

How do I prepare it?

  1. Blanch your pork shank in boiling water for 5 minutes, drain and set aside
  2. In a large pot, start boiling your soup water
  3. Wash and prepare the carrots, water chestnuts and bamboo shoots
  4. When soup water boils, add all the ingredients together
  5. Boil on high for 30 minutes and reduce to low heat and simmer for another 2 hours
  6. Serve and enjoy!  Salt if necessary

Any benefits?

  • Excellent source of protein and vitamins
  • Easy to make soup (but only if you buy fresh bamboo.  Otherwise, preparing the fresh bamboo will take some time)
  • Soup is ideal for hot summers and mildly cooling to relieve heatiness in the body
  • Water chestnuts are cooling and are said to relieve coughs
  • Bamboo shoots are an excellent source of fiber, potassium and are high in antioxidants
  • A sweet soup and great for children

Any precautions?

  • Water chestnuts are cooling and it is recommended that pregnant women take caution when consuming