Pork Soup with Water Chestnuts & Red Dates Recipe

I’m not good in making soup like any others that I know. No basic in anything besides drinking. I’m totally regretted for not learning it in a younger age when I thought I don’t need it at all. And who knows I will be far away from everyone. I still believe in the saying “there never too late if we have the heart of willing”.  I started browsing and checking on recipe on how to make a simple soup and in the same times it still good for our body system.

What makes it harder for me is that, I don’t read Chinese nor understand the name of the herbs. I have to pictures every single of them and look for it at the store. Oh well, nothing I can do right now.

This soup actual helps you strengthens the lungs and spleen, expels phlegm and alleviates coughs. Red dates are known to be effective in countering fatigue, anemia and low energy level. Mostly used to build up strength and blood and often added to others herbs for the sweetest.

Ingredients:

2½ litres (10 cups) water

1 large or 2 small carrots, peeled and sliced

12 water chestnuts, peeled

8 red dates (hang zao), pited and rinsed

500g (1LB) lean pork, rinsed and scalded with boiling water

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste.

Method:

Bring the water to a boil in a stockpot. Add all the ingredients, except the salt, and cook over high heat for 20 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 2 hours. Season with the salt and remove from the heat. Serve hot in individual serving bowls.