How to make Chinese Watercress Soup (西洋菜汤) | Healthy and Nutritious Soup Recipe

Chinese watercress soup has many health benefits and is one of my favourite soups. When I was a kid growing up in Malaysia, I used to have different nourishing soups at least three times a week (I still do whenever I go back for holidays).
You can try making this yummy watercress and chicken/pork bone broth with goji berries, red dates and dried scallops. These ingredients are not only incorporated because they are packed with vitamins and minerals, but also adds more flavour. The simple recipe is below:
Ingredients (derives approximately 2 litres of soup):
3 chicken frames/carcass (approximately 1 kg)
500g pork bones/ribs
2-3 bunches of watercress (this is a personal preference; each bunch is about 125g, I used 2 bunches in this recipe)
10 red dates (jujube)
2 tbsp goji berries
1 tbsp small dried scallops (approximately 12)
2.5 litres water (enough water to cover ingredients)
3 thin slices of ginger smashed (optional)
1½ tsp Himalayan pink salt, or to taste
¼ tsp chicken stock powder, or to taste
Method
1. Prepare the watercress by trimming off the yellow leaves and roots, soaking in water and draining off the dirt/sand in water 4-5 times. Drain and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, soak red dates, goji berries and dried scallops in water for about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. Blanch chicken and pork bones in boiling water until scum rises to the top.
4. Drain and wash the bones in a colander under running water.
5. Put the washed bones back into the pot. Pour in boiling water until it immerses all the ingredients (approximately 2.5 litres).
6. Add washed watercress*, goji berries, red dates and dried scallops. Bring the water to a boil (approximately 5-10 minutes), and immediately turn the heat down to low (to simmer).
7. Simmer for approximately 1½ -2 hours
8. Add salt and/or chicken stock powder, to taste.
9. Serve hot
* Note: Some like to put in the watercress in the last 30 minutes of cooking. The vegetable will be brighter green and have a stronger watercress flavour. You can adjust the cooking time based on your personal preference.
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[@upulaherath7204]

Great information about watercress, thanks!

[@CarolTansKitchen]

Thanks so much 💕