How to make nourishing stuffed vegetarian gourd soup, perfect for a refreshing full moon day

How to prepare Vegetarian Stuffed Winter Melon Soup

• 1

  Prepare the ingredients

  To clean the dust, the winter melon you buy should be peeled with a knife, cut the melon into round slices about 1 – 2 finger widths thick, then use a spoon or knife to scoop out the seeds and pulp.

  Next, soak the melon in salted water for about 5 – 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water and let it drain.

  Tip:

  • Do not cut the melon too thinly as it will cause the stuffing to fall out, and the melon will easily become mushy during cooking.
  • Also, do not cut the melon too thick, as it will take a long time for the stuffing inside to cook.

  Vegetarian ribs should be soaked in warm water for about 20 – 30 minutes to soften, then shredded and chopped into small pieces.

  Oyster mushrooms, after purchasing, should have the stems cut off, soaked in rice washing water for about 15 minutes, then rinsed thoroughly with water and drained.

  Similar to the vegetarian ribs, the oyster mushrooms should also be shredded and then diced finely.

  Wood ear mushrooms should be rinsed thoroughly with water to remove any dirt, then soaked in cold water for about 30 – 45 minutes to soften before draining.

  Use a knife to cut the wood ear mushrooms into thin strips, then chop finely.

  How to soak dried wood ear mushrooms properly

  • Should only soak wood ear mushrooms for a maximum of 3 – 4 hours; soaking too long can cause the mushrooms to produce toxins harmful to health.
  • Only soak dried wood ear mushrooms in cold water; do not soak in hot water as it can produce many harmful substances for health.

  When buying straw mushrooms, you should clean the base thoroughly, then soak the mushrooms in rice water for about 10 minutes, then take them out and rinse them clean, and let them drain. Use a knife to cut the mushrooms into 4 or 6 pieces depending on their size.

  How to properly prepare straw mushrooms

  • Do not wash straw mushrooms too thoroughly, as this will cause them to absorb water and not taste good.
  • Soak and wash straw mushrooms in water mixed with a little tapioca starch or soak them in rice water, do not soak or wash in salt water, otherwise the mushrooms will become soggy and not taste good.

  See details: Simple and proper way to prepare straw mushrooms

  Cilantro should be cleaned of roots, washed thoroughly, and drained.

  

  

  

  
• 2

  Mix the mushroom and tofu filling

  Add oyster mushrooms, vegetarian ribs, and 100g of tofu into a mortar, then use a pestle to pound and mix until well blended and smooth. Next, add finely chopped wood ear mushrooms, mix well once more, and then transfer to a bowl.

  Next, add 2 teaspoons of vegetarian seasoning and 1 teaspoon of pepper to the bowl, then mix well so that the filling absorbs the seasoning.

  

  

  

  
• 3

  Stuff the melon filling

  Use a spoon to take a sufficient amount of filling and put it into the melon. Use your hands to press it tightly so that the filling does not fall out.

  Next, use your hands to spread a little cornstarch evenly on the surface of the melon and the filling.

  Tip: Spread a little flour on the surface of the melon and filling to help them stick together, preventing the filling from falling out while cooking.

  

  

  
• 4

  Stuffed Winter Melon with Mushrooms

  Place a pot on the stove, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and heat it, then add straw mushrooms and sauté for about 2 minutes over medium heat.

  Next, add 500ml of filtered water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder to the pot and bring to a boil.

  Then, drop the winter melon into the pot, cook over medium heat until the water in the pot boils again, the melon is evenly cooked, then adjust the seasoning to taste and turn off the heat.

  

  

  

  
• 5

  Final Product

  Scoop the soup into a bowl, sprinkle a little chili powder and some chopped cilantro on top, and garnish to make it visually appealing to finish.

  Now we have a delicious and beautiful bowl of vegetarian stuffed winter melon soup for the family to enjoy this Full Moon festival.

  Taste a bit of the soup and you will experience the natural sweet flavor of the broth, the soft and sweet winter melon outside combined with the rich and crunchy tofu and mushroom filling inside, extremely attractive. Hurry into the kitchen to make it for your family!