Bitter Melon Soup with Pork Bones

User Reviews

5.0

15 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    2 hrs 15 mins

  • Cook Time

    2 hrs 15 mins

  • Total Time

    5 hrs

  • Servings

    6

  • Calories

    270 kcal

  • Course

    Soup

  • Cuisine

    Chinese

Bitter Melon Soup with Pork Bones

Bitter Melon Soup with Pork Bones is a delicious Cantonese-style soup with simple, pure ingredients. It's also easy to make at home!

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 2 ounces pearl barley (soaked; 2 ounces/60g = about 1/3 cup)
  • 1 1/2 pounds meaty pork bones (such as neck bones and/or ribs)
  • 2-3 dried red dates (AKA dried jujubes)
  • 8 cups water
  • 4 lices ginger (1-inch long, ⅛-inch thick slices)
  • 12 ounces bitter melon (about 1 large melon)
  • salt (to taste)
  • MSG (to taste; optional)
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Instructions

  1. Soak the pearl barley for at least 2 hours or overnight. Drain and set aside. Also soak the pork bones in cold water for 1-2 hours to purge them of impurities, changing the water once halfway through.
  2. Rinse the pork bones clean, using your hands to scrub them of any impurities and bone spurs. Transfer to a deep stock pot with just enough water to submerge them. Bring to a boil, and boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat, rinse the pork bones clean, discard the water, and rinse the soup pot clean.
  3. Add the pork bones back to the stock pot, along with soaked barley, dates, 8 cups water and the ginger slices. Set over high heat, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, immediately turn the heat down to medium low, cover, and simmer for 2 hours.
  4. While the soup is simmering, slice the bitter melon in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and scrape away all of the white pith, which can be particularly bitter. Cut each half into large chunks. Set aside.
  5. After 2 hours of simmering, skim the fat off the surface of the soup. Add the bitter melon, cover, and simmer for another 30 minutes. Add salt to taste before serving (you can also add MSG for extra oomph if desired—this is completely optional!). Serve with light soy sauce to dip the tender pork ribs into.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 270kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 64mg (21%) Sodium 278mg (12%) Potassium 407mg (12%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 269IU (5%) Vitamin C 48mg (53%) Calcium 36mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 270 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 270kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 64mg 21%
Sodium 278mg 12%
Potassium 407mg 9%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 269IU 5%
Vitamin C 48mg 53%
Calcium 36mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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5.0

15 reviews
Excellent

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