Pork Hock Noodle Soup
About the recipe
This recipe is simple, nourishing and perfect for the whole family. Leftovers can be transformed into any number of meals, which is a great way to make meat stretch. Think fried rice (use the broth to cook the rice in), pork ragu, toasties or stuffed roasted vegetables. The possibilities are endless. I like to top our noodle soup with some fermented chilli and a splash of sesame oil, which is a great option for introducing this allergen to babies.
Pork Hock Noodle Soup
A nourishing and adaptable recipe that is a great way to make meat stretch.
- Large sauce pan
- Colander
- Saute pan
- 1 Large pork hock
- 4-5 L Water
- 2-3 Spring onions ((or 1 onion or leek, roughly chopped) )
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 2 Star anise
- 3 Garlic cloves
- 5 cm Ginger
- 1 strip Dried kombu seaweed
- Soba noodles (Any noodles will do)
- Greens (Such as bok choy or broccolini)
Place the hock in a large saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. When foam appears on the surface, drain the hock, discarding the water. Wipe the saucepan clean before adding the hock and covering with 4-5L cold water. Add the onion, cinnamon, star anise, garlic, ginger and kombu. Simmer on low heat for 4-5 hours, or until the bone can easily be removed.
Strain the broth into another saucepan and keep warm over low heat. When the pork is cool enough to handle, remove the bones and gently pull apart the meat. The fat and gelatinous skin can be finely sliced and stirred through the pork.
Cook your chosen greens in the simmering pork broth while you prepare the noodles according to the instructions on the pack.
To serve, place the noodles in a bowl. Top with the pork and greens before ladeling over the hot broth. Season with a little tamari or fish sauce.
Garnish with a generous handful of fresh coriander and sliced spring onions.
Toddlers and baby-led weaning: Serve deconstructed by placing large strips of tender pork, greens and garnish on a plate, along with the noodles if your baby has been introduced to them and some of the warm broth in an open cup.
Spoon-fed babies: Puree the pork mixture with some warm broth and tender greens.
*save your leftover broth for the Pork Pie recipe below!
Let’s Search
What’s on your mind?
Easter Chocolates
There is something so fun about making themed food with kids at Easter, and these little homemade chocolates are such a lovely way to join in the excitement without relying only on store-bought eggs. They still feel special and festive, especially when poured into Easter moulds, but they are made with simple ingredients that also … Continued
Chia Gel
Chia seeds are one of those small-but-mighty foods that we come back to again and again, especially when supporting little tummies through the transition to solids. They’re incredibly nutrient dense, meaning even a small amount delivers a beautiful boost of fibre, healthy fats, protein, calcium and magnesium. One of the biggest reasons we love chia … Continued
Baked Pumpkin Risotto
I love risotto… but I do not love standing at the stove stirring for 40 minutes while someone’s asking for a snack or hanging off my leg. This baked version is my little kitchen hack. You get that creamy, cosy risotto texture without the constant stirring. The pumpkin softens and melts into the rice, making … Continued
Butter Chicken
This is one of those meals I make when I want everyone at the table to eat the same thing… and actually enjoy it. It feels like a proper comfort dinner, but it’s still gentle enough for babies. The pumpkin softens into the sauce and makes it naturally sweet and creamy, which means you get … Continued
Chicken & Mushroom Meatballs
If you’re looking for a soft, iron-rich finger food that actually holds together in little hands, these Chicken and Mushroom Meatballs are such a winner. They’re juicy, gently flavoured and packed with extra nourishment from finely chopped mushrooms, making them ideal for baby-led weaning. Using chicken thighs keeps them tender and higher in key nutrients … Continued
Chicken & Pasta Soup
This is chicken noodle soup’s heartier, toddler-friendly cousin. The pasta cooks right in the broth and soaks up all that goodness, which means it turns thick, cosy and easy to scoop. No slippery noodles sliding everywhere. No watery broth left behind. Just a nourishing, comforting bowl that little ones can actually manage. It’s packed with … Continued
Passionfruit Coconut Slice
This passionfruit coconut slice is one of those recipes that feels a little bit special but is still incredibly simple to make. It is light, fresh and naturally sweet, with that perfect balance of tangy passionfruit and mellow coconut that works beautifully for both kids and adults. It is a toddler-approved favourite in our house … Continued
Spaghetti Bolognese With a Twist
Recipe from Toddler to Table This spaghetti bolognese is a classic comfort meal with a clever nutrient-dense twist. It’s the kind of dinner that feels familiar and cosy, but works a little harder behind the scenes to support growing bodies. By adding grated liver and heaps of vegetables into the sauce, you’re boosting iron, zinc, … Continued