Name: Vietnamese Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup (Canh Khổ Qua Nhồi Thịt)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 5
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: ¼ cup dried wood ear mushroom; 1 oz dried bean thread vermicelli noodles; ½ lb ground pork; 2 tablespoons shallot (finely minced); ½ teaspoon chicken bouillon powder; ¼ teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons fish sauce; 1 teaspoon sugar; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 green onions (thinly sliced with whites and greens separated); 2 medium bitter melons (about 10 inches long); 1½ quarts water; 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder; 2 teaspoons fish sauce; 1 teaspoons salt; 2 teaspoons sugar; Ground black pepper

Description

One of the traditional dishes served during Vietnamese New Year (Tết) and also a staple in everyday home cooking. Ground pork stuffed bitter melon is simmered in a savory broth and served with fluffy steamed rice and other side dishes for a complete family-style meal.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Stuffed Bitter Melon

1/4 cup dried wood ear mushroom
1 oz dried bean thread vermicelli noodles
1/2 lb ground pork
2 tablespoons shallot (finely minced)
1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons fish sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 green onions (thinly sliced with whites and greens separated)
2 medium bitter melons (about 10 inches long)

Soup

1 1/2 quarts water
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
2 teaspoons fish sauce
1 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
Ground black pepper

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Instructions

Prepare the dried ingredients: Soak the dried woodear mushroom and dried bean thread vermicelli noodles in lukewarm water for 15 minutes. Drain, rinse thoroughly, and finely chop.
Make the filling: In a medium bowl, mix ground pork, minced woodear mushrooms, chopped vermicelli, shallot, chicken bouillon powder, salt, fish sauce, sugar, pepper, and the white part of green onions until well combined.
Stuff the bitter melons: Halve the bitter melon. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and white membrane, leaving the base intact. You can cut into smaller chunks if you wish. Fill bitter melon with the pork mixture and roll any leftover filling into small meatballs.
Cook: In a medium pot, bring water (1-½ quarts) to a boil. Gently add the stuffed melons and meatballs. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until the bitter melons are tender and a dull green color.
Season and garnish: Season soup with chicken bouillon powder, fish sauce, salt, and sugar, adding a little at a time to taste. Garnish with a sprinkle of remaining green onions and a dash of ground black pepper.
Serve: Enjoy with steamed rice and other protein side dishes for a complete family-style meal.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Asian, Vietnamese