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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.