Watercress and Pork Rib Soup

Watercress and Pork Rib Soup

Watercress and Pork Rib Soup

Watercress and pork rib soup is a classic Cantonese soup, served as a 1st course and sometimes as a main. Watercress has a lot of health benefits such as lowering risks of cancer, supporting heart and bone health, regulating blood pressure, and is full of vitamin A, B, beta carotene, calcium, and potassium. It is also considered an invasive species in the U.S., so eating watercress is also helping the environment.
Besides the health benefits, this soup has so much flavor to it you’d think there was a ton of ingredients to make it. It actually has just 7 ingredients. The total cost to make a large pot of this soup cost $7. I’d pay more than that for a single bowl.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 hours 45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Chinese, East Asian, main course, Pork, soup
Servings: 4
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs pork riblets cut in between the bones
  • 5 slices ginger
  • 8 cups water
  • 2 bunches watercress washed; big stems removed
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • white pepper to taste
  • soy sauce

Instructions

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add in the riblets. Once the water is back to a boil, simmer the ribs for 2 minutes. Drain the ribs and wash under cold water.
    Chinese, main course, pork, soup
  • Place the ribs in a clean pot with 8 cups of water and the slices of ginger. Bring to a boil. Cover. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 90 minutes.
    Chinese, main course, pork, soup
  • Stir in the salt. Cover and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes.
    Chinese, main course, pork, soup
  • Stir in the watercress. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
    Chinese, main course, pork, soup
Chinese, main course, pork, soup
Chinese, main course, pork
Season with white pepper to taste. Serve the soup with steamed rice and soy sauce.
Chinese, main course, pork, soup
Dip the riblets into the soy sauce.