Are you looking for a comforting and nourishing soup recipe to warm you up? Try this traditional Chinese lotus root soup. This hearty lotus root soup recipe features lotus root slices, tender pork ribs, and a flavorful broth made from a combination of pork bones, red dates, goji berries, raw peanuts, and other aromatic ingredients.
In this blog post, I'll explain everything you need to know about lotus root soup and provide a simple yet delicious recipe for you to make at home. Read on!
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What exactly is lotus root?
Lotus root is the edible rhizome of the lotus plant, commonly used in Asian cuisines. It has a crunchy texture and a slightly sweet, earthy flavor. When you slice it, it reveals a unique pattern of holes, like a beautiful lace-like pattern with hollow air pockets. It is a visually striking addition to many dishes. It has been used in Chinese cuisine for centuries. This versatile ingredient adds a subtle sweetness to dishes and is packed with nutritional benefits.
In traditional Chinese medicine, lotus root is prized for its medicinal properties and is often used to treat various ailments. It is believed to have cooling properties that help balance the body's energy and promote better health.
You can eat it raw, stir-fried, boiled, or used in soups and salads. When combined with pork ribs and other ingredients in this recipe, lotus root soup becomes a comforting and delicious complete meal.
Main ingredients
Now, let's dive into the ingredients for making lotus root soup. Here's what you'll need:
Pork ribs: Port ribs add rich umami flavor and depth to the broth. You can use any type of pork bone, such as spare ribs or pork neck bones.
Lotus root: Lotus root is the star ingredient of this recipe. It perfectly balances the richness of the pork ribs. Fresh or frozen lotus root works well. You can slice it or cut it into large chunks. It is available in most Asian grocery stores.
Fresh ginger: Ginger is a warm and subtle spiciness ingredient; it enhances the overly fragrant aroma of this soup.
Dried goji berries: These herbs add a mild sweetness and a pop of color.
Dried red dates: Red dates are a delicious natural sweetness.
Water: The amount of pork ribs you use will depend on the recipe. Remember to add enough water to cover all the ingredients. For this recipe, I used 12 cups of water for 2 pounds of pork ribs.
Raw peanuts: Peanuts add a nutty depth and extra texture, complementing the crunch of the lotus root while softening slightly during cooking.
Shaoxing wine: Shaoxing cooking wine helps eliminate any gamey odor from the pork ribs, enhancing the overall aroma.
Salt and black pepper to taste
Chopped green onions: for garnish.
Step-by-step cooking instructions
Here's a step-by-step guide to making your flavorful lotus root soup:
Prepare ingredients: Peel and slice the lotus root into slices or large chunks. Rinse the fresh ginger, dried red dates, goji berries, and raw peanuts. Slice the ginger into slices, and chop the green onions into chunks.
Blanch the pork ribs: Boil a pot of water. Add the pork ribs, Shaoxing wine, and fresh ginger slices, and let it blanch for 3-5 minutes to remove impurities. Skim off any impurities that rise to the surface during cooking. Drain and rinse the ribs under running water, then set aside.
Build the soup base: In a large pot, add the blanched pork ribs, sliced lotus root, green onion chunks, dried red dates, and raw peanuts. Pour in enough water to cover all the prepared ingredients completely. (If using a pressure cooker, follow the manufacturer's instructions for cooking soup. For a pressure cooker or instant pot, cook on high heat until pressure is reached, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes.)
Simmer the soup: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 1.5-2 hours, or until the pork ribs are tender and the lotus root is soft. This slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together.
Add dried goji berries: In the last 15 minutes of cooking, add the goji berries. This keeps their texture intact while infusing the soup with extra flavor.
Season the soup: Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
Garnish and serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with more chopped green onions if you want. Serve hot, and enjoy your delicious lotus root soup!
Pro tips for making the perfect lotus root soup
Here are some pro tips for making lotus root soup even better:
- Blanch the pork ribs: Always blanch the pork ribs in boiling water before adding them to the soup. This step is very important and gives you a clearer soup with a cleaner taste.
- Use a clay pot: If you have a clay pot, cook the soup in it. This helps evenly distribute heat, enhances the depth of flavor, and retains warmth longer.
- Don't overcook the lotus root: If you prefer it to stay crunchy, add it halfway through the cooking process rather than at the beginning.
- Adjust seasoning at the end: Before adjusting the salt and pepper, wait until the soup is nearly done. The flavors will deepen as the soup simmers, so season carefully toward the end for best results.
- Skim the surface regularly: Skim off any foam or excess oil that rises to the top for a cleaner broth during simmering.
- Make in advance to save some time: Lotus root soup can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it the perfect make-ahead meal.
Feel free to customize the recipe with your favorite ingredients to suit your taste preferences, add ingredient such as shiitake mushrooms, black beans, soya bean or dried squid.
Final thoughts
With its crunchy texture, rich flavor, and numerous health benefits, lotus root soup is one of the most popular Chinese soups.
This lotus root soup is more than just a recipe—it's a bowl of comfort that nourishes both body and soul. With its delicious earthy flavors, tender pork ribs, and crunchy lotus root, each spoonful warms you from the inside out. Try this recipe next time, and let me know how it turned out. Happy cooking!
Lotus Root Soup Recipe: A Traditional Healing Soup
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork ribs
- 1 pound lotus root
- 4 slices fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon goji berries
- 1 tablespoon dried red dates
- 12 cups water
- 5 tablespoons raw peanuts
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- salt and black pepper to taste
- chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients: Peel and slice the lotus root into slices or large chunks. Rinse the fresh ginger, dried red dates, goji berries, and raw peanuts. Slice the ginger into slices, and chop the green onions into chunks.
- Blanch the pork ribs: Boil a pot of water. Add the pork ribs, Shaoxing wine, and fresh ginger slices, and let it blanch for 3-5 minutes to remove impurities. Skim off any impurities that rise to the surface during cooking. Drain and rinse the ribs under running water, then set aside.
- Build the soup base: In a large pot, add the blanched pork ribs, sliced lotus root, green onion chunks, dried red dates, and raw peanuts. Pour in enough water to cover all the prepared ingredients completely. (If using a pressure cooker, follow the manufacturer's instructions for cooking soup. For a pressure cooker or instant pot, cook on high heat until pressure is reached, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes.)
- Simmer the soup: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 1.5-2 hours, or until the pork ribs are tender and the lotus root is soft. This slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together.
- Add dried goji berries: In the last 15 minutes of cooking, add the goji berries. This keeps their texture intact while infusing the soup with extra flavor.
- Season the soup: Taste the soup and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
- Garnish and serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with more chopped green onions if you want. Serve hot, and enjoy your delicious lotus root soup!
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