Stuffed bitter melon soup

Bitter melon; either you love it or hate it, there is nothing in between. Although I always thought it was a veggie it’s actually a fruit (Wikipedia) and it’s the only fruit I know of that has a bitter taste. There are several varieties, but the most common one is “China phenotype”.

When I was young I use to hate it. I just couldn’t get over the taste. The way I learned how to eat it, was to eat it together with some picked daikon root. It slightly concealed the bitterness and made it easier to swallow. Not that my mom really made me eat it, but the daikon did help me to get over it ‘mentally”. Once you get over that it’s pretty nice, even delicious once you get to love it.

It sounds weird, but these things make great salad. I will share the recipe next time I make it.

Anyway, this is my favorite way to eat it: 

Remember I made the stuffing for my “stuffed tofu” recipe and I froze half of it. Well I used this to stuff my bitter melon. I wassed them, cut them in pieces, scrapped all the seeds out and stuff them with the meat mixture.

I stuffed as much meat as I could, since I love lots of meat.

I cooked enough water to cover the melons and put them in when the water boiled. Because I like a clear broth I scooped out all the foam and fat. Then I seasoned the broth with some salt.

When the melons turn soft they are ready to eat, but I rarely eat them the same day. I found out that they are less bitter when you eat it the next day, or even 2 days later.

All they need now is a sprinkle of fresh chopped coriander and some spring onions.

I ate this soup with some plain white rice. The hubby and my sister didn’t touched it at all so it was all me. Had to eat it for 3 days…so I can now say that I will not have any bitter melons for the next coming months.