This Taiwanese soup is comforting and easy to make. The pork ribs balance out the bitter melon with each bite. You can cook it two ways here - one on the stove for a shorter time and also in my trusty Tatung cooker 大同鍋 so you can set it and forget it.
Place pork spare ribs in a medium (3-quart) stockpot and cover with cold water. Bring the water to simmer over high heat, then immediately turn off the heat and strain the pork spare ribs. Rinse the pork spare ribs with cold water and gently scrub until the water runs clear. (Scrubbing is optional but helps with creating a clear broth at the end).
1 pound pork spare ribs
While the pork ribs are being blanched/heated, prepare the bitter melon. Cut the ends off of the bitter melon and then cut in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and foamy inners. Cut into 1½-inch wide pieces.
2 medium bitter melon,
Transfer cleaned pork spare ribs, cut bitter melon, ginger slices, garlic cloves, salt, and ground white pepper to a large (4-quart) stockpot. Fill with cold water until the ingredients are fully submerged (about 2 quarts).
1 pound pork spare ribs, 2 medium bitter melon,, 2 quarts water, 1- inch piece ginger,, 3 cloves garlic,, 2 teaspoons salt, kosher,, ⅛ teaspoon ground white pepper,
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.
Serve it hot by itself or with a bowl of rice.
notes
This recipe also works really well in a Tatung cooker 大同鍋. The cook time will be longer, but you get to set it and forget it using your Tatung!INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING A TATUNG COOKER:
Follow recipe steps 1-2 above.
Transfer cleaned pork spare ribs, cut bitter melon, ginger slices, garlic cloves, salt, and ground white pepper to the inner pot of your Tatung Cooker. Fill with cold water until the ingredients are fully submerged (about 1½ quarts).
Fill the outer pot with 2 rice cups of water (about 1½ cup if using a regular liquid measuring cup).
Cover, turn on the cooker, and press the switch down to cook for 1 hour. The switch should automatically pop up around that time as well.
tried this recipe?Tag me @thesoundofcooking! I'd love to see what you made.