Chinese Dried Fig, Apple and Almond Soup

One of my favorites.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup  chinese  almonds (nom hung)
• 4 -5  chinese  almonds (buck hung)
• 3  medium Red Delicious apples, unpeeled
• 8  ounces  pork loin, well trimmed
• 10  chinese dried figs, rinsed

Directions

1. Rinse almonds in several changes of cold water. Soak almonds in 1/2 cup cold water overnight to soften almonds.
2. Core apples and cut into 1-inch-thick wedges.
3. In a 4-quart saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil over high heat. Add pork and return to a boil, skimming any scum that forms. Add the apple wedges, dried figs, almonds and their soaking water.
4. Return to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 3 hours.
5. Serve piping hot (no more than 1 1/2 cups per person).