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Thursday, August 07, 2014

Dib Iab Ntim Nqaij Hau Ua Kua (Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions)

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 1

In my experiment to Make Bitter Melon Less Bitter, the last recipe I made was Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions. Most of the steps were the same as Canh O/Kho Qua Nhoi Thit (Vietnamese Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup), except I used cilantro and scallions in place of the vermicelli noodles and tree ear fungus. I also added a few stalks of lemongrass to the broth.

The cilantro, scallions, and lemongrass gave the Hmong bitter melon soup a fresher, "greener" flavor, if you will. I love finding variations for familiar dishes and discovered this version in "Cooking from the Heart: The Hmong Kitchen in America" by Sami Scripter and Sheng Yang. The dish is called Dib Iab Ntim Nqaij Hau Ua Kua in Hmong.

The original recipe seemed pretty bland (only 1/2 tsp for six bitter melons), had no fish sauce (which I think the Hmong in Vietnam would have used), and suggested MSG (which I don't add to my cooking). So obviously, I made adjustments and scaled down the recipe. Still, this version was a lovely variation to add to my collection of bitter melon recipes.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 2

Dib Iab Ntim Nqaij Hau Ua Kua (Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions)
Adapted from "Cooking from the Heart: The Hmong Kitchen in America" by Sami Scripter and Sheng Yang.

For about 4 servings, you'll need:
2 bitter melons, insides removed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1/2 lb ground pork
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp sugar
1 tblsp Nuoc Mam (Vietnamese Fish Sauce), or more to taste
2 stalks lemongrass, bruised

Optional: additional chopped cilantro and scallions for garnish.

If you'd like to lessen the bitterness of bitter melon, set a pot of water to boil to blanch the bitter melon.

Slice the bitter melon into approximately 2-inch chunks. Use a spoon to remove the insides. I use a serrated grapefruit spoon for ease. Discard the insides.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 3

Cleaned and scraped bitter melon pieces.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 4

Parboil for just a few minutes to lessen the bitterness if you'd like. Drain into a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 5

In a bowl, add about 1/2 lb ground pork, 2 sliced scallions, 1/3 cup chopped cilantro, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground pepper, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tblsp fish sauce.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 6

Mix thoroughly.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 7

Spoon the pork mixture into each bitter melon. Form small balls with any remaining meat.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 8

Place the stuffed bitter melons and a few stalks of bruised lemongrass into a stock pot with enough water to cover by several inches. Turn the heat on high and when the water boils, turn the heat down to medium or medium-low and let simmer. Skim any scum from the top.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 9

After about 15 to 20 minutes, the bitter melon will be cooked when it softens and turns dark. Taste the broth and season if necessary.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 10

Add more cilantro and scallions for garnish if you wish.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 11

Serve as a soup or spooned over rice.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 12

I loved the colors in these photos so much. I just couldn't narrow it down to my usual three.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 13

Vietnamese and Hmong bitter melon soups.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 14

Along with the Chinese ground pork and Vietnamese egg bitter melon stir fries for my recipe experiments on how to make bitter melon less bitter.

Hmong Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup with Ground Pork, Cilantro, and Scallions 15

Enjoy!

Other bitter melon recipes:
Canh O/Kho Qua Nhoi Thit (Vietnamese Stuffed Bitter Melon Soup)
Chinese Bitter Melon Stir-Fry with Ground Pork and Black Bean Sauce
Goya Champuru (Okinawan Bitter Melon Stir-Fry with Pork Belly, Tofu, and Eggs)
O/Kho Qua Xao Trung (Vietnamese Stir-Fried Bitter Melon with Eggs)
Vegetarian Goya Champuru (Okinawan Bitter Melon Stir-Fry with Tofu and Eggs)

*****
1 year ago today,
2 years ago today,
3 years ago today, Half and Half Tea House - Monterey Park.
4 years ago today,
5 years ago today, Goi Ga Bap Cai (Vietnamese Chicken Cabbage Salad).
6 years ago today, a reader makes my bo luc lac (Vietnamese shaking beef) recipe.
7 years ago today, Canh Chua Ca (Vietnamese Sour Fish Soup).

2 comments:

  1. Which recipe was your favorite? I want to eat more bittermelon because it has so many health benefits, but...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tracie,
    I think the stir fry with pork and black bean sauce. Most flavorful. If you follow my methods to parboil or salt the bitter melon before cooking, and then do that recipe, you won't really taste the bitterness much.

    ReplyDelete

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