Watercress, also known as water mustard or Chinese celery, is renowned for its properties in clearing heat, stopping coughs, and moistening the lungs. The nutritional content of watercress is very comprehensive, offering significant benefits in both nutritional and medicinal values. There are many ways to cook watercress, including serving it cold-dressed or as an ingredient, each with a unique flavor.
Watercress and Bone Soup
Ingredients Preparation
Pork bones, watercress, salt, and monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Method and Steps
1. Clean all ingredients, drain watercress and set aside.
2. Pour water into a pot, add the bones, and after the water boils, blanch for 3 minutes. Remove and rinse thoroughly with water.
3. Place the bones in a pressure cooker, add water, close the lid, and cook for 20-30 minutes.
4. Transfer the soup from the pressure cooker to a wok, turn up the heat, and add salt.
5. When the water boils, add the prepared watercress. After 2 minutes, add MSG for seasoning and serve.
Watercress in Broth
Ingredients Preparation
Watercress, lean meat, mushrooms, garlic, oyster sauce, soy sauce, salt, oil, and sugar.
Method and Steps
1. Soak the mushrooms in warm water until they are soft. Peel and mince the garlic, slice the lean meat and mushrooms, and marinate them with oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar.
2. Wash the watercress and drain the water. Heat oil in a pan, add minced garlic to bring out its aroma, then add the mushrooms and stir-fry.
3. Pour in water, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes. Add the meat slices and cook until done.
4. In another pot, add water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the watercress and blanch until cooked.
5. Remove the watercress, drain, place on a plate, and pour the cooked broth over it.
Fried Watercress with Lard Bits
Ingredients Preparation
Watercress, salt, blended oil, lard bits, and garlic.
Method and Steps
1. Clean the watercress, remove old leaves, soak in water for a few minutes, and drain for later use.
2. Heat blended oil in a pan. When it reaches 50% hot, add the lard bits and turn down the heat to slowly render the lard.
3. Peel and clean the garlic, slice it, and fry in the oil until fragrant.
4. Add the prepared watercress to the pan, turn up the heat, add salt, and stir-fry evenly.
5. After 1 minute, add MSG for seasoning, stir-fry evenly, and serve.