BKT - Bah Kut Teh

BKT! Always so good and comforting. While visiting KL I tried Chinese herbal soups for the first time. These have found a special place in my heart and stomach hehehe. There were two that stayed with me, some herbal soup which came in a coconut but seems to be a concoction of the stall we ate it at and BKT which seems to be more traditional and thus a more commonly found recipe.

In its most simple incarnation you will find just a powder you can drop in your broth. One step up from there you will find the packets with the various dried roots, herbs, dates and mushrooms along with the powder that gives it its own very unique and delicious aroma. Finally, a Chinese herbal shop can also prepare a packet for you. Whether or not this would technically be BKT, I am not sure but all the ones which have come my way have been excellent.

The picture below shows one of the pre-made packets bought from one herbal shop which covered all the goodies. Some of the more expensive ones will throw in a big piece of ginseng as well. Good for your health!

The rest is extremely simple and delicious. I buy some pork ribs and a piece of tenderloin (as seen below). Proceed to cut the ribs in groups with no more than 3 ribs and cube the tenderloin. Place them all in a bug soup pot with the ingredients from the packet and a few garlic cloves and bring it up to a slow simmer. Depending on how early it starts to cook, the longer it can simmer the better. This will allow the flavors to combine and meld into the true goodness of a good herbal soup. Usually served with white rice, Chinese donuts, soy sauce and chilies. Since there is no salt added the soy sauce can be used individually to taste. As the fall comes in and we say our goodbyes to the summer this will be on my table more and more :).

From Bah Ku Teh