Where can I find bitter melon if it's unavailable in my local Asian grocery store?

You can search for bitter melon at specialty stores, international grocery stores, or online.

Are there any other recipes that use bitter melon?

Yes. Various recipes use bitter melon, such as stir-fries, curries, and stuffed bitter melon.

Can I use a food processor to prepare the bitter melon?

To prepare bitter melon using a food processor, slice or chop it. Avoid slicing the pieces too thin as it may hinder stuffing them with ground meat.

How can I make this soup less bitter?

To make the soup less bitter, blanch or soak the bitter melon in salted water before cooking or balance the bitterness with other ingredients like sugar or citrus.

What are some popular side dishes to serve with bitter melon soup?

Popular side dishes for bitter melon soup include steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, and tofu.

Thai Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup (with Ground Pork)

Name: Thai Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup (with Ground Pork)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 2-3 bitter melon. (2 large ones or 3 smaller ones). Cut into 4 equal pieces, seeds and pith scooped out with a spoon.; 2 oz dried glass noodles. Soak in very warm water until soft; 5 large cloves of garlic for pounding in a mortar and pestle.; 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper or 2 teaspoons whole white peppercorns; 1/4 cup cilantro stems cut into 1-inch pieces. Or 4 cilantro roots; 1/2 pound ground pork; 1/4 cup shredded carrot; 7 cups water; 1 cube pork bullion; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon fish sauce, more to taste; 1 teaspoon soy sauce, more to taste; 1/4 cup green onion, cut into 1 inch pieces; Garnishes: Cilantro leaves, sliced green onions, and ground white pepper

Description

Thai stuffed bitter melon soup is a comforting and healthy dish. It includes bitter melon, bean thread noodles, baby pork ribs, and Thai herbs and sauces. Packed with nutrients and flavored with Thai seasoning paste, this soup has a unique and slightly bitter taste from the star ingredient, bitter melon. Enjoy a delicious and nourishing meal with this soup!

Ingredients

Scale

2-3 bitter melon. (2 large ones or 3 smaller ones). Cut into 4 equal pieces, seeds and pith scooped out with a spoon.
2 oz dried glass noodles. Soak in very warm water until soft
5 large cloves of garlic for pounding in a mortar and pestle.
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper or 2 teaspoons whole white peppercorns
1/4 cup cilantro stems cut into 1-inch pieces. Or 4 cilantro roots
1/2 pound ground pork
1/4 cup shredded carrot
7 cups water
1 cube pork bullion
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fish sauce, more to taste
1 teaspoon soy sauce, more to taste
1/4 cup green onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
Garnishes: Cilantro leaves, sliced green onions, and ground white pepper

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Instructions

Prepare bitter melon by cutting it into 4 small pieces and removing the white pith (the white part) and seeds. In a large bowl, soak the melon in water with a little salt (1 tablespoon) to help remove some of the bitterness of the melon.
Soak the glass noodles in warm water for 8-10 minutes or until soft. Drain and cut into 4-5 inch pieces.
Make the soup base seasoning by combining garlic, cilantro stems, and white pepper with a mortar and pestle. Pound into a rough paste. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, mix the ingredients into fine pieces. The paste will be divided into halves—one part for the pork mixture and the other half for the soup base.
Make the pork mixture. In a mixing bowl, Combine ground pork, glass noodles, half of the green paste, carrot, and green onion. Mix well and get ready to stuff the melon.
Stuffing the melons. Drain the soaked bitter melon, pat dry, and stuff it with the meat filling. Allow some room for the meat to expand once cooked.
Build the soup base. Add pork boullion, half the green paste, and salt and water in a large pot. Turn the stove to high heat. Bring it to a boil and season the soup with fish sauce and soy sauce.
Cooking the stuffed melon. Carefully Place the stuffed bitter melon in the pot of boiling water.
Turn the heat down and Simmer until the melon is tender and the soup is flavorful. About 15-20 minutes. Season as needed. That is it! Serve hot with jasmine rice or as a stand-alone tasty soup!

Notes

The bitterness of the melon can be reduced by soaking the melon in salted water before cooking.
Also, blanching the melon in boiling water for a minute and then submerging it in cold water helps reduce the bitterness and preserve the color.
Be careful when placing the stuffed melons into the boiling water. Use a wire mesh skimmer or tongs to prevent a splatter of hot water.

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Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 20
Category: Soups
Method: stovetop
Cuisine: Thai