Soups
Apple, Vegetable and Lean Pork Soup
Traditionally used to nourish the blood, support the complexion and the heart
Why people make this soup
The reds in tomato, carrot and beetroot, plus the apple’s natural sweetness and fibre, make a bright, wholesome pot. Bro Niu likes this soup for its colour and its everyday goodness. Traditionally it is associated with nourishing the blood and complexion and supporting the heart and liver, and it is well liked by those mindful of blood pressure, blood fats and cholesterol.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Those wanting a light, colourful, vegetable-rich soup, especially anyone mindful of blood pressure, blood fats or cholesterol.
- Beetroot is wholesome but a little high in natural sugar — those watching blood sugar can simply enjoy it 1–2 times a week.
- A mild, everyday soup; vegetarians can swap the pork (see tips).
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Apple (ping guo): sweet and fibre-rich, traditionally associated with nourishing the blood and complexion.
- Tomato, carrot, beetroot greens: colourful vegetables traditionally said to support the liver and gentle “cleansing” through good fibre.
- Celery (xi qin): light and fresh, often welcomed by those mindful of blood pressure.
- Lean pork (shou rou): rounds out the soup; optional for vegetarians.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apples | 2 | cored, cut into chunks |
| Tomatoes | 2 | cut into chunks |
| Carrot | 1 | peeled, cut into chunks |
| Celery | 2 stalks | cut into sections |
| Beetroot stems and leaves | ~75 g | cut into sections |
| Lean pork | ~225 g | blanched |
Method
- Rinse all the ingredients. Peel and chunk the carrot; core and chunk the apples; cut the celery and beetroot greens into sections; blanch the pork.
- Put everything into a pot with 6 bowls of water and simmer about 1.5 hours down to 4 bowls.
- Drink the soup and eat the ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
Beetroot is very wholesome. The root and the leafy stems are often sold separately, with the stems being the more economical option. Although the beetroot greens have a slightly bitter edge, they carry even more trace minerals and vitamins than the root, and they are excellent in salads or soups for fibre.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Nelly): My mother-in-law has high blood sugar — can she have beetroot soup? Bro Niu: Yes, beetroot soup is fine, no problem.
- Q (Sasa): Can this soup be made without meat? Bro Niu: You can add lean pork, but it is fine without — see below for vegetarian swaps.
- Q (Xiao Wen / “reader”): I have blocked blood vessels — is this soup suitable? Can I use beetroot in place of apple, and what replaces the pork for a vegetarian? Bro Niu: You can use beetroot instead of apple — it helps with vessel blockage. Vegetarians can use red dates, soybeans or bean-curd sticks (zhi zhu) in place of the pork.
Published August 1, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
