Water Chestnut Soup

Another cough remedy recipe I adapted from Irene's blog.  The soup is mildly sweet and the kids love it :-)

Water Chestnut Soup
Ingredients
500g pork ribs
2 - 2.5 litres water
10 - 12 water chestnuts (马蹄)
8 - 10 red dates (红枣)
1 big or 2 medium carrots
Salt to taste (optional)

Method

1. Brush water chestnuts to remove all soil.  Remove the skin/shell by cutting off the top and bottom, then cut around the sides to remove all the skin.  Soak in a bowl of water and set aside.
2. Remove skin of carrots and cut into smaller pieces.
3. Rinse red dates and soak in water for 5 - 10 mins or till soft.
4. Blanch ribs/lean meat.
5. Bring water to boil and add all ingredients in a pot. Using medium fire, bring water to boil again and cook for 10 - 15 minutes, reduce to small flame and simmer for 2 hours.
6. Add salt to taste (optional) before serve.