Gingered Cabbage Soup with Pork and Potatoes

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
3/4 pound green cabbage, shredded
1 1/2 quarts canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
1 pound boiling potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 (2 inch) piece fresh ginger - peeled, halved lengthwise, and smashed
2 teaspoons salt
1 pound pork tenderloin, cut into approximately 1 1/2-inch-long-by-1/4-inch-wide strips
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

In a large pot, melt the butter over moderately low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced ginger and the cabbage and cook for 1 minute longer.

Add the broth, potatoes, smashed ginger, and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.

Stir in the pork and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt. Cook until the pork is just done, about 3 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Remove the pieces of smashed ginger before serving.

Yield: 4 servings (Serving size: 4 servings)

A sprightly ginger broth transforms typical cabbage, pork, and potato soup into a meal that's light-tasting and satisfying at the same time. The shot of lemon juice added at the end intensifies the flavors.

Notes:
Fresh Ginger: You'll want to use really fresh ginger here; it's integral to the flavoring of the soup. Look for a piece that has taut skin and is firm to the touch. After the ginger is peeled (the easiest way is to scrape the peel off with a spoon), its color should be pale yellow. If the ginger is blueish green instead, chances are the piece is old and won't have the vibrant flavor you're looking for.

Source: Food&Wine