Lou Wong Kwa Soup (Old Cucumber Soup)

This is one of the easiest soups you want to try out!

Buy one Lou Wong Kwa (Old cucumber) from the market. One thing I like about wet market is that, the aunties or uncles are so willing to serve you. I have one very honest vege seller and she will really choose the best out of her stall for me.

Ingredients:
1 Lou Wong Kwa (old cucumber)
1 handful of Hong Cou (red dates)
1 pork ribs (chopped into small pieces)
1 Matt Chou (Honey date)

Pictures show the process (left to right) from the first row

1) Put some salt on the old cucumber and rub it. This is to clean the old cucumber outer part thoroughly since we boil the soup with the skin too.

2) Cut the tips of the old cucumber. Rub the tips to the old cucumber. You will see thick white liquid coming out from the ends. Wash them away.

3) Cut the old cucumber into half. Scrap away the seeds.
Then, cut it into small pieces.

4) Flatten the Hong Chou and remove the cores.

5) Blanch the pork ribs and pour away the water. Keep aside.

6) Put in all the ingredients except for the pork ribs to boil under HIGH heat for 15 minutes.

7) Simmer the soup under LOW heat for 1 to 2 hours.

8) Add in the pork ribs 30 minutes before dishing out. Remember to turn to HIGH heat again when you add in the pork ribs. You need HIGH heat to cook the pork ribs thoroughly. The heat also prevents the blood from the pork ribs to flow out from the bones.

This soup is good especially when one feels heaty.

Have a try!