Easy & Delicious Vietnamese Spinach Soup Recipe

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Vietnamese spinach soup, or canh rau mồng tơi, is a light, refreshing, and nutritious dish perfect for a quick and healthy meal. This soup is incredibly easy to make and offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.

What is Vietnamese Spinach Soup?

Canh rau mồng tơi is a popular soup in Vietnam, especially during the hot summer months. It features spinach (rau mồng tơi) as the main ingredient, cooked in a clear broth and often enhanced with ground pork, shrimp, or simply seasoned with basic spices. The soup is known for its simplicity, nutritional benefits, and cooling properties.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes.
  • Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with vitamins and minerals from the spinach.
  • Refreshing: A light and cooling soup, perfect for warm weather.
  • Versatile: Customize with your favorite protein or keep it vegetarian.

Ingredients You'll Need

  • 1 bunch of Vietnamese spinach (rau mồng tơi), washed and chopped
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 100g ground pork or shrimp (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • Optional garnishes: fried shallots, cilantro

How to Make Vietnamese Spinach Soup

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Wash the spinach thoroughly and chop it into bite-sized pieces. If using ground pork or shrimp, marinate it with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic

In a pot, heat the cooking oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Step 3: Cook the Protein (Optional)

If using ground pork or shrimp, add it to the pot and cook until fully done. Break the meat into small pieces while cooking.

Step 4: Add the Broth

Pour the chicken or vegetable broth into the pot and bring to a boil.

Step 5: Add the Spinach

Once the broth is boiling, add the chopped spinach. Cook until the spinach is tender, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Season the Soup

Season the soup with fish sauce (or soy sauce), salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.

Step 7: Serve

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fried shallots and cilantro, if desired. Serve hot.

Tips for the Perfect Vietnamese Spinach Soup

  • Use Fresh Spinach: Fresh Vietnamese spinach (rau mồng tơi) will give the best flavor. If you can't find it, regular spinach can be used as a substitute.
  • Don't Overcook the Spinach: Overcooked spinach can become slimy. Cook it just until it's tender.
  • Adjust the Broth: You can use chicken, vegetable, or even pork broth depending on your preference.
  • Add Other Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like okra or luffa for added texture and flavor.
  • Make it Vegetarian: Simply omit the meat and use vegetable broth and soy sauce.

Variations

  • Shrimp: Add fresh or dried shrimp for a seafood twist.
  • Mushrooms: Incorporate sliced mushrooms for an earthy flavor.
  • Tofu: Add tofu cubes for a vegetarian protein boost.

Serving Suggestions

Vietnamese spinach soup is often served as a side dish with rice and other Vietnamese dishes. It can also be enjoyed as a light lunch or dinner. A simple squeeze of lemon or lime juice can brighten the flavors just before serving.

Nutritional Benefits

Spinach is packed with vitamins A and C, iron, and antioxidants. This soup is a great way to incorporate more greens into your diet and boost your overall health.

Call to Action

Ready to try this simple and delicious Vietnamese Spinach Soup recipe? Gather your ingredients and enjoy a bowl of refreshing goodness today! Share your creations with us on social media using #VietnameseSpinachSoup #EasyRecipes #HealthyEating.