Basic Chinese Chicken Soup Stock (Soup Base)

5-6 pieces of fresh pork bones
1 tablespoon of  apricot kernals
3 large dried dates
1-2 bunches of dried bok choy
10-15 pieces of fresh bok choy (optional)
1 package of fresh tofu
1.5 – 2 L of cold water

How do I prepare it?

1. Pre-soak the dried bok choy for at least 2 hours (or until soft)
2. Start boiling your soup water
3. In another pot of boiling water, blanch the pork bones
4. Add the apricot kernals, dates, dried bok choy and blanched pork bones to your soup
5. Boil for at least 2 hours
6. Add fresh bok choy and boil for at least another 30 minutes or until the fresh bok choy becomes soft
7. Add tofu 15 minutes before consumption and boil

 Any benefits?

• This soup is traditionally used to relieve heatiness

Any precautions?

• Women who are pregnant (less than 3 months into term) or menstrating should drink in moderation as it watercress is a “cool” food and can potentially cause contractions