Lotus root and carrot soup with anchovies

~ Serves 2 -3 ~

Preparation time: ~ 25 mins

Cooking time  ~ 2 hrs

Ingredients: 

Chicken bones (leftover from chicken rice)

Pandan leaves 2 stalks (if available)

Fresh garlic 1 clove or more if you like strong garlic taste

Fresh onion 1 small bulb

Fresh ginger ~ 1 by 1 cm 

Lotus roots ~8 to10 cm bulb

Carrot ~ 10 cm

Dried squid ~ 1 big

Anchovies ~ 2 tbs

Dried shrimps ~ 1 tbs

Clean water ~ 1 litre

Preparation:

Soup stock

1. Rinse the chicken bones.

2. Peel and wash the garlic. 

3. Peel and wash the onion. Chop into half. Make quarters with each halves.

4. Rinse the squid, anchovies and dried shrimps. 

5. Wash and slice the ginger.

6. Wash, shave off the skin of the carrot, and dice into size about 2 by 2 cm.

7. Wash, shave off the skin of the lotus roots. Slice very finely.

8. Wash the pandan leaves and tie into a knot.

Cooking:

9. Boil about 1 litre of water. Add the soup stock in to boil for about 2 hours. Alternatively, you can boil for about 30 mins, remove the pandan leaves, and place the soup in a thermopot for at least another 3 hours. 

10. You may serve with chicken rice (see the post) or plain rice. Enjoy!

Time saving tips: You may use chicken stock instead of water or add mushroom seasoning cube for added flavours. There are also pre-cut vegetables that can be used to save preparation time. By slicing the lotus root very finely, that reduce the cooking time. Dried squid, anchovies and dried shrimps can be steeped for 30 mins before boiling to extract the flavours.  

Variations: You may also cook chicken together in the same stock instead of just the chicken bones; or replace chicken with pork. You may also add peanuts which also taste great.

Interesting facts: Lotus root contains Vitamin B, Vitamin C, iron, potassium, copper, thiamin, and zinc, among others. It is also a good source of protein and dietary fiber. Anchovies are an excellent source of calcium, iron, and zinc. They are a rich source of the B vitamins niacin, riboflavin and vitamin B-12. These vitamins play a vital role in energy production, neurological health, formation of red blood cells, digestions and can help maintain healthy skin, nerves and vision. Carrots are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, especially biotin, potassium, and vitamins A (from beta carotene), K1 (phylloquinone), and B6.

Click here for source of nutrition facts of lotus roots.

Click here for source of nutrition facts of anchovies.

Click here for source of nutrition facts of carrots.