Spare Rib & Lotus Soup

Click to Enlarge	Spare Ribs & Lotus Soup China - Hunan - hu ou dun pai gu
	Serves Effort: Sched: DoAhead:	4 side ** 1 hr Part		A nice simple soup with impressively exotic lotus roots. The lotus tastes similar to potato but remains very firm, almost crisp..

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14
8
1
1
6
2
1/2
tt

oz
oz
in
T
c

t

Spare Ribs (1)
Lotus Root (2)
Ginger
Rice Wine
Stock, light
Scallions
Salt
Pepper, white (3)

Separate SPARE RIBS and cut into 1 inch to 1-1/2 inch lengths. A sharp Chinese cleaver knife is perfect for this job. Put the ribs in a pot of water and bring to a boil. Drain and rinse the ribs, discarding the water.
Peel LOTUS ROOT, slice about 3/4 inch thick and cut into bite size chunks. If using pre-sliced lotus root just cut in half or quarters depending on size.
Slice GINGER thin.
Put All * Items in a pot and bring to a simmer. Simmer for around 2 hours, adding water as needed. .
Cut green part of SCALLIONS into similar slivers.
Season with Salt, Pepper and Scallions. Serve hot (if using ribs, see there's a bone bowl on the table).

NOTES:

Spare Ribs: Weight is after removing any excess fat. This recipe is also made with pork belly - tasty but fattier.
Lotus Root: Weight is with inedible joints and ends cut away but before peeling. Fresh lotus root can be found in many markets serving East and Southeast Asian communities. It can also often be found peeled, sliced, par boiled and vacuum packed in the refrigerated section.
Pepper: In China they generally use white pepper which has the hotness but not the flavor of black pepper. Personally, I use the black anyway.
U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch