Bitter melon soup

 Ingredients: ( serves 5 people).

•   5 bitter melons .
• 1 tsp fish sauce. 
•  1 tbs cooking oil.
• Salt, sugar, broth mix, ground pepper.
• 4 stalks scallions. Half cut in 2 inch-length, half finely chopped.
• 1 tbs chopped corianders.

For pork stuffing:

§  200 g ground lean pork.

§  1 egg whites.

§  1 dried wood ear mushroom, 2 inches in diameter, soaked in hot water about 20 minutes, drain and thinly cut.

§  1 small bunch of bean thread noodles, soaked in warm tap water about 5 minutes, drain and cut  in 2 inch length.

§  1 shallot, minced.

§  1 tsp sesam oil.

§  2 tsp fish sauce.

§  1 tsp ground pepper.

§  1 tsp sugar.

§  1 tsp broth mix.

Preparation: 
1)      In a fryingpan, add cooking oil over medium heat, then add the minced shallots. Stir-fry until the shallots have become golden brown. Remove from the heat. 
2)      Combine all inredients of pork stuffing together in a small bowl. Then add the fried shallots . Mix well. Get aside about 30 minutes. 
3)    Use a sharp knife cut the ends off the bitter melon and cut in half lengthwise (do not peel). Scrape out the seeds and pith from the middle of the melon with a small spoon. Wash in clean water and drain in a colander. 
4)      Use a soupspoon to stuff the bitter melons with the pork stuffing.

Cooking: 
1)      Bring a pot of water to a boil. 
2)      Place the stuffed bitter melon in the boiling water. Bring to a boil for 10 minutes. 
3)   Then reduce the heat to medium in about 30 minutes. Add the 2-inch lengh scallions and season with sugar, broth mix, and fish sauce. Taste test and turn off the heat.

Serving: 
-     Cut the bitter melon into 2-inche length pieces.Transfer them to a large bowl. Ladle the hot soup into the bowl. 
-          Sprinkle some ground pepper and garnish with chopped scallions and corianders. 
-          Eating with warm rice.

Posted in: Soups,Vegetables