Cherry & Dennis Recipes
Chinese Yam Goji Lean Pork Soup
淮山杞子瘦肉湯
Recipe overview
Chinese Yam Goji Lean Pork Soup is a light and gentle Hong Kong home soup. Fresh Chinese yam becomes soft and slightly floury after simmering, while goji berries and red dates add natural sweetness. Lean pork gives the soup body without making it oily. It is suitable for children and elderly family members, and helps helpers learn how to handle fresh Chinese yam, blanch lean pork, and keep a clear soup base. The key is to handle slippery yam carefully and add goji berries near the end so they do not break down.
01
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 400g fresh Chinese yam
- 350g lean pork
- 1 tablespoon goji berries
- 4 red dates
- 3 dried figs
- 2 slices ginger
- 1800ml water
- A little salt
Seasoning
- 1/3 teaspoon salt or adjust to family taste
02
Tools
- Small pot
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Soup ladle
- Bowl
- Slotted spoon
- Measuring cup
03
Steps
Step 1
Prepare ingredients
Prepare fresh Chinese yam, lean pork, goji berries, red dates, dried figs, and ginger. Check that the yam has no black or rotten parts.
Step 2
Rinse dried ingredients
Rinse goji berries, red dates, and dried figs. Soak for 5 minutes and drain. Red dates may be cut open or pitted for better flavour.
Step 3
Cut lean pork
Rinse lean pork and cut into large pieces. Do not cut too small or the meat may fall apart after simmering.
Step 4
Blanch lean pork
Bring water to a boil in a small pot. Add lean pork and ginger, then blanch for 2-3 minutes to draw out blood and foam.
Step 5
Rinse blanched pork
Remove the pork and rinse away surface foam. This keeps the soup clearer and reduces meaty smell.
Step 6
Peel and cut Chinese yam
Peel Chinese yam, rinse, and cut into large chunks. The surface is slippery, so gloves may be used.
Step 7
Soak Chinese yam
Put cut yam pieces in clean water temporarily to reduce surface discoloration. Drain before adding to the soup.
Step 8
Add water and soup base
Add 1800ml water to the soup pot, then add lean pork, ginger, red dates, and dried figs.
Step 9
Simmer lean pork base
Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Skim any foam if needed.
Step 10
Add Chinese yam
Add Chinese yam chunks and continue simmering over medium-low heat for 25-30 minutes. Do not stir hard or the yam may break.
Step 11
Add goji and season
Add goji berries during the last 5 minutes. Before turning off the heat, add a little salt and taste.
Step 12
Serve clear yam soup
Ladle the soup into bowls with Chinese yam, lean pork, and a few goji berries. The soup should be clear, light, and gently sweet.
Common mistakes
- Not blanching pork makes the soup cloudy and meaty.
- Cutting yam too small makes it break apart.
- Handling yam carelessly can be slippery and unsafe.
- Adding goji too early makes it mushy and affects the colour.
- Boiling hard for too long makes the soup cloudy.
- Too much salt covers the natural sweetness of red dates and yam.
Tips
Fresh Chinese yam is slippery, so peel and cut slowly and use gloves if needed. Blanch lean pork first for a clear soup. Add goji berries only near the end. This soup does not need chicken powder or sugar. Ask Ma'am or Sir to taste before adding more salt.
