ABC Soup

Nope, there are no alphabets in this soup. I suppose it has been dubbed ABC soup because it is as simple as ABC to put together. It requires only the most basic of ingredients that every home kitchen has on hand - carrots, onions, potatoes and bones (usually pork ribs).

ABC soup is a staple in most Asian households and a comfort food. When I asked my friend what we should make after a long day of moving to her new apartment, she said, "How about some ABC soup!" As a kid, mum would make a big pot of soup in the morning, we'd eat it for lunch and then as a side with other dishes during dinner.

As there are no pork ribs on this blog, here's a rib-less version that's just as nourishing and just as comforting.

ABC soup recipe

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• 1 carrot
• 1 white onion
• 1 small potato
  
• 1/2 sweet potato
• 1 small tomato
• 1 lily bulb (bai he 百合), seperated (optional)
  
• 1 cup chopped oyster mushrooms
• a knob of ginger
• 3 whole cloves of garlic
  
• Enough water to cover ingredients in a pot

Seasonings

• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• chopped scallions for garnishing
  

Directions

1. Chop vegetables in to chunks.
2. Fill soup pot with water and add in all ingredients.
3. Bring soup to a boil and simmer, covered, for about an hour.
4. Check seasoning and add salt if required.
5. Turn off heat and allow soup to rest a few minutes before serving.
6. Garnish with chopped scallions.