Best Easy Pork and Watercress Soup Recipe

Pork ribs and fresh watercress simmer into a cooling, nourishing soup. This protein-enhanced, healthy family soup is a Cantonese classic believed to reduce internal heat.

Cook 125 min Difficulty NORMAL 220 kcal
#high protein #diabetic friendly #mediterranean #DASH
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • pork spare ribs 2 lbs
  • watercress (fresh, rinsed, trimmed) 8 cups
  • carrot 2 pieces
  • dried honey dates 2 pieces
  • ginger (sliced) 4 slices
  • water 10 cups
Seasonings/Sauce
  • salt 1.5 tsp
  • white pepper 0.25 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 7 g 13%
Protein 24 g 44%
Fat 10 g 43%
Serving size 350g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Blanch pork spare ribs in a pot of boiling water for 2 minutes to remove impurities; drain and rinse under cool water.

  2. 2

    In a large soup pot, combine pork ribs, ginger slices, carrots, dried honey dates, and 10 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat.

  3. 3

    Once boiling, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover loosely, and skim surface scum as needed. Simmer for 1.5 hours.

  4. 4

    Add fresh watercress to the pot, adjusting heat to maintain a gentle simmer, and cook for another 30 minutes. Do not boil vigorously to preserve watercress color and nutrients.

  5. 5

    Season with salt and white pepper. Taste the soup and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, ensuring pieces of pork and watercress are in each bowl.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient that gives Pork and Watercress Soup its signature flavor?
The combination of pork spare ribs and fresh watercress define the unique flavor and nourishing quality of this soup. The slow-simmered ribs infuse the broth with depth and savoriness, while watercress adds a mild peppery freshness and distinctive green note.
Q. What is the most important cooking technique for a clear and flavorful broth?
Proper blanching of pork ribs at the start removes impurities, helping to create a clear broth. Maintaining a gentle simmer—never a strong boil—during the cooking preserves clarity and ensures the soup extracts natural flavors without becoming cloudy.
Q. How can I prevent the watercress from overcooking and losing its color?
Add the watercress only during the last 30 minutes of simmering and avoid boiling it vigorously. Gentle heat preserves its vibrant color and crisp-tender texture. Overcooking or high heat will cause fading and diminish its fresh taste.
Q. Is this soup high in protein and suitable for balanced diets?
Yes—each 350g serving of Pork and Watercress Soup provides approximately 24g protein (44% of its total calories), making it a high-protein, well-balanced option. Carbohydrates are modest at 7g per serving (13% of calories), while fat remains moderate at 10g (43% of calories).
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