How to Cook Sour Bitter Melon Soup with Dọc Mùng to Express Respect During Vu Lan Season

How to prepare Bitter Melon Soup with Dried Bamboo Shoot

• 1

  Prepare the bitter melon

  Bitter melon after purchasing, cut it in half horizontally, using a spoon to scoop out the inner pulp.

  Then, slice the bitter melon into thin, round pieces for easy eating and soak them for 5 minutes in diluted saltwater, then rinse with clean water and drain.

  Ways to reduce the bitterness of bitter melon:

  • Method 1: The simplest way to reduce the bitterness of bitter melon is to wash it several times with water after cutting it into small pieces.
  • Method 2: Completely removing the white inner pulp of the bitter melon also helps to lessen its bitterness.
  • Method 3: Alternatively, you can place the bitter melon in the refrigerator for about 1 – 2 hours; the low temperature will reduce its bitterness.
  • Method 4: You can also reduce the bitterness by marinating the bitter melon with a little salt for about 5 – 10 minutes and then rinsing it with clean water before cooking.

  

  

  

  
• 2

  Prepare other ingredients

  After purchasing, remove all the thin outer skin of the bamboo shoot, peel the pineapple, and remove the eyes. Wash the pineapple, bamboo shoot, and tomato thoroughly and let them drain.

  Pineapple and bamboo shoot should be sliced thinly and kept separate. Cut the tomato into wedges, and chop the spring onion finely.

  Quick way to peel pineapple:

  • First, cut the pineapple into 4 pieces, then use a knife to peel closely to the body of the pineapple to remove both the eyes and the skin.
  • Alternatively, you can make deep cuts into the flesh of the skin so that you can also remove the eyes of the pineapple.

  See details: 5 simple ways to peel pineapple that are easy to do and do not take much time

  

  

  

  
• 3

  Sauté tomatoes and pineapple

  Add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the pot, heat the oil over medium heat, then add half of the chopped scallions, sautéing until fragrant.

  Next, add the pineapple and tomatoes, stir-fry quickly for about 1 minute, then season with 1 tablespoon of sugar, and stir for another 2 minutes.

  

  
• 4

  Cook bitter melon and dọc mùng soup

  Add 300ml of boiling water to the pot, cook on high heat for 3 – 5 minutes until the water boils again. At this point, add 1 tablespoon of vegetarian seasoning, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and stir well.

  Then add the bitter melon and dọc mùng, cook on high heat for 2 minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste, add the remaining scallions, a bit of sliced chili (optional), and turn off the stove.

  

  

  

  
• 5

  Final Product

  The sour soup with bitter melon and long melon is incredibly fragrant and features bright colors of green, red, and yellow from various appealing ingredients.

  The soup has a light sour taste, a sweet refreshing flavor, and a hint of bitterness from the bitter melon, making you crave it more with every bite!