Green Olive, Green Radish, Fig, and Sweet Almond Lean Pork Soup

Why people make this soup

This well-established Cantonese soup is a sensible choice for anyone dealing with throat or lung irritation: all four main ingredients have reputations for clearing heat, relieving throat and lung discomfort, and supporting the body’s ability to process and eliminate irritants. It is a wonderful everyday soup for anyone exposed to air pollution, kitchen fumes, or simply dry, dusty weather. Green olives come into peak season in autumn, and the soup comes together beautifully.

Method

1. Rinse the green olives well and crack them lightly with the flat of a knife so the flavour releases into the soup.
2. Peel the green radish and cut into large chunks.
3. Cut the dried figs in half.
4. Rinse the sweet almonds.
5. Cut the lean pork into thick slices and blanch in boiling water for a minute; drain.
6. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 2.4 L of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1.5 hours until the liquid reduces to 1.2–1.5 L.
7. Serve warm; eat the softened soup solids along with the broth.

Nourilo’s Tips

Green Chinese olives are available at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online. This soup is naturally sweet and suitable for the entire family. For extra benefit, add 2 pieces of snow fungus (xue er) — it will make the soup even more nourishing for the lungs. If you cannot find green olives, substitute a cored pear — it also has lung-clearing properties. Adding a few slices of ginger to the pot makes the soup even more effective for cold-related throat and chest symptoms.