Lotus Root Pork Rib Soup in Barley

I got hold of this very simple lotus root soup and trust me, it's worth a try. It was one of those busy days that I didn't have time to prepare dinner so it was boiled soup early morning so that she could have them for lunch and dinner.

According to her, she loved it and my maid said it was good too. 

Well, nothing like some healthy soup

Ingredients:-

- 500g to 1kg of pork ribs and soft ribs (depending how many people you're cooking for)

- lotus roots, sliced thinly 

- 3 large bowls of water

- 1 small bowl of cooked barley mixed with uncooked ones

1. Boil some water over high heat first and then pour over the pork. This removes the murky looking stuff from the pork or else your soup will turn out murky. You may do it twice if you wish but make sure you have 2 rounds of boiling water with you then.

2. On a separate pot, boil the 3 large bowls of water.

3. Once boiled, throw in all the ingredients including the pork and allow to boil under high heat for about 20 to 30 mins.

4. Then, transfer the entire pot and pour it into a Slow Cooker to cook.

**NOTE**

If you've got someone to watch the Slow Cooker, cook under Low for about 3 hours and then switch to Auto for the rest of the time till you want to have it. Or, you can leave it under Auto for the next 6-8 hours and it will be fine. I actually boiled mine at 6.30am and transferred to Slow Cooker at 7am under Low till 10.30am and switched to Auto thereafter; and left it till I had it at 7pm. 

Done!!!

Watercress & Chicken Soup

Another soup experiment. I absolutely find it much easier to make these dishes especially when I have to be back late or might be away. At least, my little one is fed and has a decent meal. That's all that matters for me.

So, another soup it is then. Do not underestimate the watercress veg. It has numerous benefits and I guess that's why most Chinese continuously have this in their soup menu. It helps prevent cancer, it's high on antioxidant, high on vitamin A and C and helps with overall wellbeing. And the best part of it is that I never add salt or pepper in my soups that I boil as it best taken as natural as possible.

Well, I loved it and so did Caitlin.

Ingredients:-

- 3 large bowls of water.

- 500g chopped chicken

- 2 carrots cut into cubes

- 1 bunch of watercress vege

- 1 palm full of Chinese almonds 

- 2 dried Honey Dates (different from those dried chinese red dates)

1. Boil water 

2. Once water is boiling, put in all the ingredients.

3. Boil for about 10 minutes at high fire. Then, transfer to slow cooker and boil under Auto throughout the day.

4. Serve with warm rice.

It's good for lunch and dinner served with warm rice. Sometimes, for my little girl, I'll just fry an egg to go with her rice and that's just one healthy meal for her.

Old Cucumber Pork Ribs Soup

Another soup try out. Lol!!! It wasn't too bad if my maid had not turn off the slow cooker instead of turning it to Auto after 3 hours been boiled under Low but it was tasty nonetheless.

Ingredients:-

- 500g to 1kg of pork ribs and soft ribs (depending how many people you're cooking for)

- old cucumber, cut into blocks (core the seeds out with a teaspoon)

- 3 large bowls of water

- 4 dried oysters

- 8 dry Chinese red dates (makes the soup sweet)

- 4 small dry scallops (makes the soup absolutely yummilicious)

1. Boil some water over high heat first and then pour over the pork. This removes the murky looking stuff from the pork or else your soup will turn out murky. You may do it twice if you wish but make sure you have 2 rounds of boiling water with you then.

2. On a separate pot, boil the 3 large bowls of water.

3. Once boiled, throw in all the ingredients including the pork and allow to boil under high heat for about 20 to 30 mins.

4. Then, transfer the entire pot and pour it into a Slow Cooker to cook.

**NOTE**

If you've got someone to watch the Slow Cooker, cook under Low for about 3 hours and then switch to Auto for the rest of the time till you want to have it. Or, you can leave it under Auto for the next 6-8 hours and it will be fine. I actually boiled mine at 6.30am and transferred to Slow Cooker at 7am under Low till 10.30am and switched to Auto thereafter; and left it till I had it at 7pm. 

A very easy and healthy recipe. Enjoy.

Well till my next recipe......