Mustard Green Soup Recipe

Mustard Green Soup Recipe

From: Vietnam

By: Nghia Nguyen

Mustard green soup, or canh cải xanh in Vietnamese, is a traditional and beloved dish in Vietnam. It's a simple yet flavorful soup made with mustard greens, chicken or pork broth, and a variety of seasonings and spices.

This dish is enjoyed by locals in a variety of ways. Some like to enjoy it as a light meal, perhaps paired with a bowl of rice or a side of crusty bread. Others might enjoy it as part of a larger feast, alongside other dishes like grilled meat, stir-fried vegetables, and rice noodles.

Nghia lets us know not to worry if you cannot find mustard greens! The delicious flavor will not be compromised if you use cabbage or bok choy instead. 

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  • Prep Time

    Less than 10 min

  • Cook Time

    Less than 30 min

  • Serves

    4

  • Meal Type

    Soup

  • Dietary Stuff

    Contains Meat

  • Difficulty

    Easy - Common Ingredients & Basic Skills

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How to Prepare Mustard Green Soup

Ingredients:

10 oz green mustard
3 1/2 oz minced pork
2-3 branches of green onions (scallions)
2 tsp oil
4 cups water

Spices:
1 tsp each of salt, sugar, fish sauce, pepper, ginger, and msg

Instructions:

PREPARATION: Green mustards: wash, dry, and remove root. Then cut into 3-4 parts.
Scallions: wash, dry, and separate head. Mince. Head and stems. Set aside.
MARINATION: Place minced pork and half the minced onion head in a bowl.
Add salt, sugar, ginger, fish sauce, msg, and pepper.
COOKING: Place oil in a pot. Add other half of minced scallion head.
Cook for 30 seconds then add marinated minced pork. Stir until pork is cooked.
Add water to pot and cover until it boils.
Add green mustard. Cook for only 30 seconds. Season according to taste and turn off heat.
Mix in minced green onion right before serving.

How to Serve Mustard Green Soup

Nghia says "It should be the last part of the meal you cook when preparing dinner. Serve hot as a soup together with other main dishes.

Highly recommend eating it with rice!

Tips for Making this Mustard Green Soup Recipe

Green Mustards can be replaced by cabbage or bok choy with different flavors.

Minced pork from your local store is fine, but you can enhance the texture of the meat by choosing pork belly or thigh and mincing the pork yourself.

How Long Do I Boil Mustard Greens?

Boil mustard greens depending on the size and age of the greens, as well as your personal preference for tenderness.

If you are adding mustard greens to a soup, you will generally want to boil them for a shorter period of time to prevent them from becoming too soft and mushy.

A good rule of thumb is to boil mustard greens for about 5-10 minutes until they reach the desired tenderness. However, Nghia suggests cooking them for only 30 seconds in this recipe.

Are Mustard Greens Healthy?

Mustard greens are very healthy! They are low in calories and fat and are a good source of nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin K, and calcium. Mustard greens are also high in dietary fiber, which can help to support healthy digestion and prevent constipation.

In addition, mustard greens contain antioxidants and plant compounds that may have a variety of health benefits, including reducing inflammation and supporting heart health.

What kills the bitterness of Mustard Greens?

There are a few different techniques you can use to kill the bitterness of mustard greens.

Blanching the greens is one of the best methods. You can also soak the greens in cold water before cooking. Adding a pinch of sugar can can help balance the bitterness. Lastly, using young, tender leaves will help as they are generally less bitter than the older, tougher leaves.

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