Luo Han Guo in Watercress Soup
Soup Name: Luo Han Guo in Watercress Soup
Introduction:
What Ingredients are required?
1 pound of fresh pork shank
1/2 dried luo han guo
1 tablespoon of apricot kernals
15 whole raw chestnuts
2-3 bunches of fresh watercress
1 large piece of dried tangerine peel
2-3 L of water
1 teaspoon of salt (to marinate the pork)
How do I prepare it?
- Pre-marinate the pork overnight with the salt (although this step is not necessary)
- Boil your soup water
- Blanch pork shank in a separate pot of boiling water
- In another separate pot, boil chestnuts for 2-3 minutes. Remove from water and peel while still hot (removing the outer and inner skin)
- Half luo han guo and rinse in warm water
- Wash and soak apricot kernals and tangerine peel in warm water
- When the water boils, add all the ingredients together except the watercress (this should be added last because it will stay relatively crunchy before consumption)
- Boil on high for thirty minutes and reduce to a simmer for another 1.5 hours (or use a thermal pot)
- When almost ready to drink, re-boil and add in watercress. Boil on high for 10 minutes (or until desired softness of watercress)
- Serve and enjoy!
Any benefits?
- An excellent soup to assist with coughs and loosening of phlegm
- Ideal for dry autumn consumption as it helps moisten the lungs and body
- Low in fat
- Naturally sweet
Any precautions?
- The luo han guo produces a very sweet and distinct taste that is subjective to the drinker
- I would suggest trying half of a fruit on your first attempt and see if you like it, definitely do not add more than 1 fruit to a soup
- The watercress, while considered a cooling vegetable, can be consumed in moderation if in early pregnancy (use less as a precaution)