Bitter Gourd Pork Ribs Soup
Bitter gourd, also called Bitter melon, has an acquired taste. You either love the bitter taste or you hate it. Bitter gourd soup is very often cooked by the chinese when the weather is hot as it is believed to have cooling properties. It's loaded with pork ribs, bitter gourd itself, some red dates, carrot and wolfberries. A very healthy and nutritious soup.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 50 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 300 g pork ribs
- 1 bitter gourd (450g)
- 1 Carrot (medium, skinned and cut into 1 inch thick rings)
- 10 Red dates (pitted)
- 1 tablespoon Wolfberries (soaked in cold water until fluffy)
- 2000 ml water
- 1 tablespoon salt (to taste)
Instructions
- 1
Blanch pork ribs in boiling water for about 5 minutes to remove scum. This will ensure a clear soup.
- 2
Cut the bitter gourd in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Then rub a small amount of salt on the bitter gourd and then rinse off the salt with water. This helps to reduce the bitter taste of bitter gourd.
- 3
Cut the bitter gourd into large chunks. Slice one of the large chunks into thin slices and set aside.
- 4
In a large soup pot, add in 2 litres of water. Bring to a boil.
- 5
Then add blanched pork ribs, red dates, carrots and large bitter gourd chunks. When the water comes to a boil again, lower heat and simmer for 45 - 60 minutes.
- 6
Then 10 minutes before you turn off the flame, add the soaked wolf berries and thin bitter gourd slices. Season with salt to taste.
- 7
Serve with steamed rice.