Chinese Pork and Black bean soup is one of the many much loved Chinese home cooking soups. While soup is popular in many different types of cuisines. Likewise, they often regard black bean soup as a healthy and tasty tonic for the body in Chinese cuisine. Because of its high nutritional values, they often serve this soup to women during pregnancy and confinement. Easy to make and perfect comfort food for the whole family especially during the cold winter days. Typical ingredients used in Chinese black bean soup are black beans, pork spare ribs, dried red dates and dried cuttlefish.
For my naturally gluten free Chinese Pork and Black Bean Soup recipe, I am using pork shoulder (bones on). Plus black beans, carrots and dried red dates. This Chinese Pork and Black Bean Soup recipe is also soy free, dairy free, egg free and nut free. In addition, I have included two cooking methods, namely using stove top and instant pot pressure cooker function.
You may also like my other soup recipes:
- Chinese Lotus Root and Pork Soup;
- Chinese Chicken and Black Eyed Peas Soup;
- Homemade Fish Balls with Seaweed Soup; and
- Pork and Prawn Wonton Soup.
History and Facts of Black Bean
The Black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), commonly referred to as black turtle bean, has a small, glossy black and shell-like shape. In addition, it is sweet tasting, meaty texture and has flavour similar to mushrooms. While black beans originated in the North, South and Central Americas. Likewise, they were first cultivated all the way back to more than 7,000 years ago. Moreover, people enjoy black beans in many different kinds of cuisines worldwide. Just Like all legumes and pulses.
While many usually eat black beans for their health benefits. In addition, they add black beans for textures and nutrition to dishes like dips, salads, stews and soups. Black beans are also popular in vegetarian and vegan dishes for their nutritional values. Besides, many people highly valued for black beans for their high protein and fiber content with low glycemic index (GI).
Nutritional Values of Black Bean
Black beans are also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Including vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin B1 (thiamine), copper, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium and iron. Furthermore, black beans are an exceptional source of molybdenum, a micronutrient that is vital for life. Its main role is to act as a catalyst for enzymes. In order to assist in the breakdown of amino acids in the human body. Additionally, black beans are abundant in antioxidant properties from their high content of flavonoids, especially anthocyanin.
Health Benefits of Black Bean
Overall, the health benefits of black beans include:
- Help lower blood pressure;
- Decrease risks of cardiovascular diseases;
- Reduce risks of common cancer especially colon cancer;
- Support healthy digestive system;
- Management of diabetes;
- Lower blood cholesterol level; and
- Aid weight loss and weight management.
In traditional Chinese medicine, practitioners use black beans to treat conditions listed below:
- Kidney ailments;
- Help detox and cleanse the body;
- Promote blood circulation; and
- Support healthy skin and longevity.
Chinese Pork and Black Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1 kg pork shoulder bones on (get your butcher to cut into large 3 inch pieces)
- 300 g black beans washed
- 10 dried red dates seeded
- 5 medium carrots cut into 2 inch pieces crosswise
- 4 litres water
- 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
Instructions
Method 1 – Using Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Function:
- Place pork, black beans, dried red dates and carrots into a large instant pot. Mix the ingredient well together.
- Add water to maximum level indicated by the instant pot. Cover and lock lid.
- Using the intant pot pressure cooker function, cook for 35 minutes. Turn off heat.
- Let the pressure cooker rest for another 10 minutes, slowly and carefully release pressure. Unlock lid.
- Add salt to taste and serve.
Method 2 – Stove Top Cooking:
- Blanch pork in some boiling water to remove scum. Drain and set aside.
- Place 4 litres of water into a large covered pot and bring to a boil.
- Add pork, black beans, dried red dates bring to a boil again. Then turn the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
- After 1 hour, add in all the carrots and cook for another 30 minutes or until pork and black beans are soft and tender. Add salt to taste and serve.
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