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Preparation
10 minutes
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Cooking
10 minutes
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Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients for Bitter Melon Soup with Minced Meat For 3 people
Bitter melon 3 fruits Minced pork 200 gr Spring onion 2 stalks Shallot 2 bulbs Cooking oil 1/2 tablespoon Common seasoning a little (salt/ seasoning powder/ monosodium glutamate/ pepper)
How to choose fresh and delicious ingredients
How to choose good bitter melon (bitter gourd), less bitter
- When buying bitter gourd, pay attention to choose fruits that look fresh, shiny, feel firm when held, straight shape, not bent, and without bee stings.
- Observe the stem part; if it is still fresh, the bitter gourd is newly picked, still fresh and juicy.
- Bitter gourd that has a light green color, wide veins, and fewer bumps will be less bitter than fruits that are dark green with dense veins.
- In addition, larger and plumper bitter gourds will also be less bitter than smaller, elongated ones.
How to choose fresh and delicious pork
- To make bitter melon soup with minced meat, it is best to buy whole pieces of meat and ask the seller to grind it for you, or grind it at home using a meat grinder.
- When buying pork, choose pieces that have a fresh color, press on the meat to feel its firmness and elasticity, and ensure the meat has no unpleasant smell.
- Do not buy if you see the meat has turned pale, is soft and mushy, is leaking fluid, or has a foul smell; this indicates the meat has been stored for too long and is not fresh.
How to prepare Bitter Melon Soup with Minced Meat
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Prepare the ingredients
Wash the bitter melon, remove the seeds, and slice it thinly. To reduce the bitterness of the bitter melon, soak it in diluted salt water for about 15 minutes, then rinse it with clean water and drain.
Peel and wash the shallots, then chop them finely. Wash the green onions and cut them into small pieces.
Effective ways to reduce bitterness in bitter melon:- To reduce the bitterness of bitter melon, when preparing, scrape off the white membrane inside the core, as this part contains the most bitterness.
- Additionally, mix the chopped bitter melon with salt for about 20 minutes, then rinse it under cold running water; this is also an effective way to reduce bitterness.
- You can also blanch the sliced bitter melon in boiling water for about 2 – 3 minutes before removing it for cooking.
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Marinate the meat
Put the minced meat into a bowl and marinate with minced shallots, 1 teaspoon of seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of ground pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of monosodium glutamate. Mix well and let it sit for about 30 minutes for the meat to absorb the spices.
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Cook the soup
Place a pot on the stove, add 1/2 tablespoon of cooking oil into the pot. When the oil is hot, add the marinated meat and sauté for about 1 minute until the meat is browned.
Next, add 1 liter of water, 1 teaspoon of seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of salt to the pot and bring to a boil. When the water boils, skim off the foam, then add the bitter melon.
Cook for another 2 minutes, when the bitter melon is cooked, season to taste and turn off the stove.
Spoon the soup into a bowl, sprinkle chopped green onions and ground pepper on top for appeal, and it’s done.
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Final Product
Bitter melon soup with minced meat is delicious, sweet, and refreshing. The bitter melon is cooked just right, retaining its crunchiness without being too bitter. The minced meat is tender, slightly fatty, combined with the perfectly seasoned soup, making it sure to be a rice killer.
Above, Tastetutorial.com has guided you to make the dish bitter melon soup with minced meat, which is very simple yet delicious and attractive, adding warmth to your family meal. Wishing you success!
*Source of the recipe and images shared from Facebook: Trang Đinh