Cherry & Dennis Recipes
Watercress Honey Date Lean Pork Soup
西洋菜蜜棗瘦肉湯
Recipe overview
Watercress Honey Date Lean Pork Soup is a clear, gently sweet Hong Kong family soup. Watercress gives a fresh aroma, honey dates add natural sweetness, and lean pork makes the broth savoury. Wash watercress well, blanch the pork, and add the watercress only after the water boils for a clear soup.
01
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 600g watercress
- 400g lean pork
- 3 honey dates
- 1 tablespoon bitter and sweet apricot kernels, optional
- 1 small piece dried tangerine peel, optional
- 2 slices ginger
- 1800ml water
Seasoning
- A little salt, only after tasting
02
Tools
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Small pot
- Slotted spoon
- Large bowl
- Soup ladle
- Measuring cup
03
Steps
Step 1
Prepare ingredients
Prepare watercress, pork, honey dates, optional herbs, ginger and water.
Step 2
Wash watercress
Separate and soak watercress, washing it two or three times and checking stems and leaves for sand.
Step 3
Trim watercress
Remove old tough roots and keep tender stems and leaves; do not chop it too small.
Step 4
Cut lean pork
Rinse pork and cut into large pieces so it does not dry out or break apart.
Step 5
Blanch lean pork
Boil water with one ginger slice and blanch pork for 3–5 minutes to remove blood and foam.
Step 6
Rinse blanched pork
Lift out pork, rinse off the foam, and drain for a clearer broth.
Step 7
Prepare honey dates and herbs
Rinse honey dates and kernels; soak peel briefly and scrape away its white pith.
Step 8
Boil water with pork and dates
Bring water, ginger, honey dates, herbs and pork to a boil in a large soup pot.
Step 9
Add watercress
Add watercress only when the soup is boiling, never into cold water.
Step 10
Simmer soup
Bring back to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat with the lid slightly ajar for about 45 minutes.
Step 11
Check soup and ingredients
The broth should be clear and lightly golden, the watercress soft, and the pork cooked through.
Step 12
Season and serve
Taste before turning off the heat and add only a little salt if needed.
Common mistakes
- Unwashed watercress leaves sand in the soup.
- Unblanched pork makes cloudy, meaty broth.
- Adding watercress to cold water weakens the soup.
- High heat for too long reduces the soup too much.
- Adding salt too early makes it overly salty.
- Too much peel hides the watercress aroma.
Tips
Wash watercress several times because sand hides in the leaves and stems. Blanch pork first and add watercress after boiling. Keep seasoning light for children and elderly family members, then ask Ma’am or Sir to taste before adding salt.
