Bitter melon soup holds cultural significance in Southern Vietnamese tradition, as kho qua, or bitter melon, is a play on phrases for relieving life’s difficulties. Consuming this soup throughout Lunar New 12 months symbolizes a want for a clean and affluent 12 months forward.
This recipe serves about 4 to six individuals, takes roughly 60 minutes to organize, and gives round 1,080 energy in complete.
Elements
– 3-4 bitter melons
– 200 grams of floor pork
– 50 grams of strabismus fish
– 2 dried wooden ear mushroom (soaked)
– 1 bunch of coriander
– 1 handful of scallions
– Spices: fish sauce, salt, sugar, inventory powder, pepper, chili
Directions
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A small teaspoon is helpful for eradicating the seeds contained in the melon. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
– Use a small knife to make a vertical reduce within the bitter melon, gently separate it and take away the seeds.
– Guarantee to scrape off the white membrane inside. This not solely makes it much less bitter but additionally helps the meat stick higher when stuffing.
– Soak the bitter melon in diluted salt water to scale back bitterness.
– As a further step, blanch the bitter melon and rub a little bit of sugar inside to additional tone down bitterness.
– Completely wash the bitter melon to take away any residual salt, after which drain it.
– Soak wooden ear mushrooms, wash, and finely chop.
– Wash scallions and coriander, and reduce into small items.
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If obtainable, you possibly can add some chopped shallots to boost the aroma of the stuffing. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
– In a mixing bowl, mix floor pork, strabismus fish, wooden ear mushrooms, scallions, and coriander.
– Season the combination with 2 teaspoons of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of inventory powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
– Combine properly, cowl, and refrigerate for half-hour to boost meat pliability.
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The combination is speckled with darkish bits of wooden ear mushrooms and inexperienced scallions. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
– Use a spoon to stuff the bitter melon with the meat and fish combination.
– Use scallion stalks blanched in water to securely tie the bitter melon.
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Securing the bitter melons with scallion stalks not solely retains them in place but additionally enhances the visible enchantment. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
– Boil water or go for totally different broth bases like bone broth or contemporary coconut water.
– To melt the bitter melon whereas retaining its inexperienced colour, make sure the broth boils earlier than including it to the stew, preserving the lid open.
– As soon as boiling, add the bitter melon to the stew, uncover, and skim off foam often to maintain the broth clear.
– When the bitter melon is tender, season as wanted, and add onions, cilantro, and pepper.
Last product
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A bowl of stuffed bitter melon soup. Photograph by VnExpress/Bui Thuy |
The bitter melon needs to be delicate, retaining its inexperienced colour, with the meat and fish clinging to the fruit, presenting a soup with a mix of candy and bitter flavors. Be at liberty so as to add chili on high for adornment and enhancing the style.