This type of soup I cooked is ideally served for lunch or dinner; most especially during the rainy season or cool places that make your body warmer. This is also a temporary relief of cold and also even if you are sick, this soup can help you recover from that sickly feeling.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb pork spareribs, cut into portion
- 1 big white onion, sliced
- Pechay (Chinese cabbage or pak choy)
- 5 pcs peppercorn
- A dash of salt
- 2 tbsp. fish sauce
Cooking Procedure:
- Wash pechay properly and set aside.
- In a deep casserole, saute pork spareribs and sliced onion. Stir constantly until pork changes to browny.
- Add 2 cups of boiling water and peppercorn, cover with a lid and simmer for about 1 and 1/2 hours or more until the pork spareribs are tender.
- Add pechay and season with salt and fish sauce. Simmer them for another 1 minute.
- Serve with rice while still hot.
Cooking Tips:
- Add on potato, tomato, beans, cabbage, carrot, turnip, yam, or any green leafy vegetables.
- For sour taste or we called it sinigang, you can add sampalok, or sa bayabas or gabi ( yam). It is up to you, it’s your choice.
- Do not overcook green leafy vegetables.
FAQ: Spare Ribs Soup with Pechay
1. What cut of pork is best for this soup?
Pork spare ribs are ideal because they have the right balance of meat, fat, and bone, which creates a rich and flavorful broth.
2. How do I make the broth clearer?
Blanch the ribs for a few minutes, discard the water, and rinse the meat before simmering. This removes impurities that cloud the broth.
3. How long should I simmer the pork ribs?
Simmer for 45–60 minutes or until the ribs are tender. Slow simmering extracts flavor without making the meat tough.
4. Can I use other leafy vegetables besides pechay?
Yes. You can use bok choy, spinach, kangkong, or mustard greens as alternatives.
5. Why does my soup taste bland?
Spare ribs need enough time to release flavor. Season gradually with salt or fish sauce and adjust after adding vegetables.
6. Can I add other vegetables?
Yes. Carrots, potatoes, sayote, and corn pair well with pork rib soups.
7. What is the best seasoning for this soup?
Salt, pepper, fish sauce, and a bit of garlic and onion are enough. Some versions add ginger for aroma.
8. What dishes pair well with spare ribs soup?
It pairs well with steamed rice, fried fish, or simple vegetable sides. It’s a comforting everyday Filipino soup.