Clear and Refreshing Clam Soup (Baby Broth Dish)
A Healthy Broth Dish for Children: Clear and Refreshing Clam Soup Recipe
I prepared this comforting soup for children struggling with seasonal colds. The clear and refreshing clam soup is a delightful broth dish that also serves as an excellent side for your baby’s meals. Let’s make this delicious clam soup that nourishes your child’s health and tantalizes their taste buds.
Ingredients
- 200g clams
- 1/6 Korean radish (mu)
- 1/4 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 Tbsp soup soy sauce (guk-ganjang)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, it’s crucial to properly purge the clams of sand. Scrub the clams vigorously under running water to remove any dirt. Then, add 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt, place the clams in a black bag, and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. This process encourages the clams to expel any grit. After purging, rinse the clams thoroughly again. Nowadays, most commercially available clams are pre-purged, so you won’t find as much sand as before, but it’s still good practice to wash them meticulously.
Step 2
While the clams are purging, prepare the vegetables! Chop them into bite-sized pieces that are easy for children to pick up and eat. Small, manageable pieces will encourage little ones to enjoy the vegetables along with the broth.
Step 3
Fill a pot about halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add the prepared clams and let them simmer vigorously until they open their shells. The clams will release their savory flavor into the broth as they cook.
Step 4
As the clams cook and open, skim off any white foam that rises to the surface to keep the broth clear. Remove the cooked clams from the pot and set them aside.
Step 5
Let the clam broth sit undisturbed for a while to allow any sediment to settle at the bottom. After about 10 minutes, you’ll see the impurities have settled. Since this is for a baby’s meal, carefully ladle only the clear broth into another pot or bowl, leaving the sediment behind.
Step 6
In the clear clam broth, add the chopped Korean radish and onion and bring it back to a simmer. Cooking the vegetables in the broth will further enhance its umami flavor and add a natural sweetness that children often enjoy.
Step 7
Once the radish becomes transparent and tender, return the reserved cooked clams to the pot. The combination of radish and clams will create a wonderfully refreshing and clean-tasting soup.
Step 8
Finally, season the soup with 1 tablespoon of soup soy sauce. Optionally, add some finely chopped scallions for a final touch. Your delicious and clear clam soup is ready to be enjoyed warm, offering a mild and refreshing flavor perfect for your little ones.
