Watercress soup (西洋菜汤)

This is a simple soup and is not very herbal. It has red dates and honey dates in it. We usually consume it once in a while for nourishing purposes, and it tastes good too. Adults and children can consume this clear soup and eat the watercress vegetable as well.

Watercress Soup 西洋菜汤 (serves 4)

200g     Pork ribs
150g     Watercress, washed.
2           Honey dates
8-10      Red dates
2 pips   Garlic
2 litres  Water
2 tbsp   Soy Sauce

1. First, boil some water and blanched the pork ribs to remove excess fat and impurities. Rinse the pork and placed aside.
2. Rinse the red dates and the honey dates, set aside.
3. Now prepare the soup by boiling the water in a large pot. Placed in all the ingredients except the soy sauce.
4. When it boils turn down to low heat and simmer for at least 2 hours, then add in the soy sauce and simmer for another 1 hour. Now it is ready to consume.

*This is a type of (老火湯) so the longer you slow cook the soup the better it will taste. (A slowcooker can be used for this soup.)