Pork Rib Soup with Potatoes and Carrots

Ingredients

• 1 - 1.25 lbs pork spare ribs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 5 cups water
• 12 oz potatoes, cubed ((about 3 medium potatoes))
• 6.5 oz carrots, roll-cut ((about 1 large or 2 small carrots))
• 1 tomato, cut into wedges ((optional))
• 1 small shallot, peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt ((and more for par-boiling))
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• cilantro, roughly chopped
• black pepper

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a pot with plenty of water to a boil. Add pork spare ribs with some salt, bring back to a boil and let it boil for 2 more minutes. Remove the ribs and rinse under water. Discard the liquid.

2. 2

   Clean the pot or in a clean pot, add pork spare ribs, 5 cups of water, shallot and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer, cover the pot. Skim off any foams/impurities.

3. 3

   While the ribs are being simmered, peel and cut potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Peel and roll-cut carrots into pieces slightly smaller than the potato cubes.

4. 4

   Simmer ribs until almost tender to your liking, 45-60 minutes or more depending on the ribs and your stovetop.

5. 5

   Increase the heat, add carrots and wait for the water to boil again. Add potatoes and once the water starts boiling, lower heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer until all ingredients are tender to your liking, about 10 more minutes.

6. 6

   Increase the heat and let the soup start to boil, add tomato (if using) and cook for about a minute and then add fish sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste. Turn off the heat, add a lot of cilantro and transfer to serving bowls, sprinkle with black pepper.