Maori Boil-Up Pork Soup Recipe

Written by
Syrie Wongkaew
Sydney-based food writer, editor, photographer, and food stylist with a focus on Australian and Thai cuisine.
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Syrie Wongkaew
Updated 07/27/19
Maori Boil Up
A Hearty Winter Meal S. Wongkaew
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 95 mins
Total: 110 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
337 Calories
14g Fat
17g Carbs
36g Protein
See Full Nutritional Guidelines Hide Full Nutritional Guidelines
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 337
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 5g 24%
Cholesterol 101mg 34%
Sodium 176mg 8%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Protein 36g
Calcium 80mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The "boil-up" is a Maori method of cooking that boils root vegetables such as the Kumara and potatoes, puha and spinach in a pork stock. Dumplings, also known as "doughboys", usually accompany the meal to soak up the soupy goodness.

In my recipe, I have included a tender pork filet to the soup and some fluffy butternut dumplings.

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch of watercress
  • 1 pork tenderloin
  • 1 kumara (sweet potato, peeled and diced)
  • 1/2 white onion
  • 6 baby tomatoes
  • 3 spring onions (thinly sliced)
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro (roughly chopped)
  • 1 liter organic chicken stock
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 batch pre-made pumpkin dumplings
  • 1/2 kilogram pork bones

Steps to Make It

  1. Add the chicken stock, 2 cups of water and pork bones to a large stock pot. Bring to the boil and simmer for 1 hour.

  2. Soak the watercress in cold water for about 10 minutes and then wring it out to get rid of the bitter juices. Set aside.

  3. Add the kumara, 1/2 white onion, tomatoes and spring onions to the soup stock. Simmer for 15 minutes.

  4. Cut the pork fillet into 1-inch slices and add to the stock. Add salt and lower heat and cover pot. Simmer gently for 15 minutes.

  5. Finally, add the chopped cilantro and watercress and stir well. Remove the pork bones from the stock and discard.

  6. To serve, place pre-made pumpkin dumplings into a soup bowl along with pork and vegetables. Ladle the hot soup over the meat and vegetables and garnish with sliced spring onions.