Spring Shepherd's Purse and Tofu Soup

Introduction

Shepherd's purse is a wild green unique to spring. Here it's blanched, chopped, and simmered into a soup with diced tofu, lightly thickened for a silky texture and a fragrant aroma — a seasonal dish that many households in the Jiangnan region look forward to every spring. Shepherd's purse has a distinctive fresh flavor, and once spring passes, fresh bunches become hard to find. Making this soup while it's in season is a chance to savor its fleeting flavor and enjoy the pleasure of eating with the seasons.

Nutrition Highlights

• Shepherd's purse is rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber, making it one of the more nutrient-dense spring vegetables
• Tofu provides high-quality plant protein, rounding out the nutritional balance of the soup alongside the greens
• Shepherd's purse tastes freshest and most tender in season; both its flavor and nutritional value decline once the season passes
• This light, low-oil soup makes a wonderful appetizer for a spring wellness-focused meal

Tips

• Wash shepherd's purse thoroughly after buying it to remove any grit near the roots; blanching helps further remove any grassy, astringent taste
• Don't over-blanch — about 30 seconds is enough to keep its bright green color and fresh aroma
• When thickening the soup, add the cornstarch slurry gradually in small amounts while stirring, for better control over the final consistency