Watercress is pretty awesome, as by now we can plainly see.

I love the recipe suggestions at the end of this awesome infographic, and I have one more to add! I made this last night in fact. It’s a traditional Chinese soup thought to be “cooling” or anti-inflammatory.

Here’s how you can make it:

• 4 cups of broth (vegetable broth if you’re vegetarian, or more for a more traditional broth make your own by boiling some pork ribs for a couple hours)
• 2 cups watercress
• 10 dried red dates (find at a local Asian market)
• 3-4 tbsp of goji berries
• salt and pepper to taste
• (optional: add one thumb sized piece of ginger, sliced)

To make it, just boil all the ingredients (minus the watercress) for about an hour. The broth will be slightly sweet and herbal tasting. In the last 5 minutes of boiling, add in the watercress giving it a few rips to break it up. Cook just until it is a brilliant dark green color, then turn off the heat and serve.

I love this soup, it’s so simple and nutritious and in Chinese medical theory it is also supposed to be a powerful anti-inflammatory food. It is recommended for people recovering from sickness or for women at the end of menstruation to help restore energy.

I hope you enjoy this recipe along with all the benefits that watercress can bring!

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Author: Kathryn Muyskens

Editor: Travis May

Photo: Flickr, Infographic