2 bitter melons, cut in half lengthwise
4 ouces lean pork, minced
2 ounces shrimp paste or fish paste
2 shallots, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 shiitake mushrooms, soaked and minced
1 ounce cellophane noodles , soaked and diced (optional)
Fish sauce to taste
Fresh ground pepper
2 stalks green onion, diced, 2 stalks knotted to garnish
6 sprigs cilantro, diced
3 cups water
Mix ground pork, shrimp paste (or fish paste), shallot, garlic, mushroom and cellophane noodles (optional) well in a bowl, fish sauce and pepper to taste.
Use a small spoon to scoop the seeds out of the melon halves, slit open and wash thoroughly.
Put melon in boiling water and cook for a few minutes, drain and press lightly outside the melon to remove the bitter juice.
Stuff the mixture into the melon, press and smooth with water.
Add 3 cups of water in a medium pot, bring to boil. Add the stuffed melon, bring back to boil. Skim off scum then reduce heat, simmer until nice and soft about 25'-30'. Add fish sauce and pepper to taste, add onion and cilantro.
oh, you don't know how happy i am to finally find a vietnamese food blog!!! i'll be a frequent visitor -- and i hope you won't mind if i have a question from time to time?
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my food blog, Stef! Please, feel free to email me if you have any question.
ReplyDeleteHow do you cook the kho qua to make it green, not yellowish. Because i went to the restaurant in vietnam ,and they have green cooked kho qua.
ReplyDeleteMake small rings instead of leaving the whole melon itself. It will cook faster so you don't have to stew it for long time to turn yellowish.
ReplyDelete