| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 1 hour 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 236 | 9.2g | 3.1g | 11.2g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 5.2g | 2.1g | 19.8g | 0.45g |
There are few things quite as comforting, tasty, and health-focused as a steaming pot of homemade soup on a cold afternoon. Today, I decided to put a slight twist on a childhood favorite by incorporating some of my heritage into the recipe. Here on Your Gourmet Guru, I’m thrilled to share with you our Delicious Bitter Gourd Soup recipe.
The Inspiration
My Irish grandparents held hearty soups in high regard. Whether it was a dense seafood chowder inspired by my Boston upbringing or simple potato soup, my family’s culinary habits always revolved around communal, comforting bowls of deliciousness. Naturally, when I began cooking for my own family, my lovely fiancée Laura and our little munchkin, I incorporated my family traditions with a dash of my original culinary ideas. Bitter Gourd Soup is a unique and exciting addition to our family cookbook.
Comparisons and Compliments
The Bitter Gourd Soup brings to mind the traditional Vegetable Soup. It also works well with dishes like Bread Rolls or Garden Fresh Salad. The vibrant, bitter, and cooling flavor of the gourd pairs well with the richness of fresh homemade bread and the crisp notes in a garden salad.
Health Benefits
Not only does this Bitter Gourd Soup taste fantastic, but it is also a nutritional powerhouse. Bitter Gourd, also known as Bitter Melon in some parts of the world, has numerous potential health benefits. It is packed with vitamins A and C, known for their antioxidant properties. Bitter gourd also has potential anti-diabetic properties and may improve cholesterol levels. Paired with lean pork, this soup is high in protein, making it a filling and satisfying meal as well.
When ladled into bowls around our family dinner table, the soup feels like a bridge between generations and cultures – a historical heirloom as warm and inviting as the kitchen at grandma’s house. It’s just the thing for gathering loved ones together at the table, enveloping them in nourishing warmth and serving a whole lot of health benefits within every spoonful.
Here, at the crossing point between New England’s seafood pleasures and Irish traditional comfort food, I found a delightful nuance that commemorates the union of different palates in the most satisfying way. That’s precisely why I adore this Bitter Gourd Soup recipe.
What You’ll Need
- 2 large bitter gourds
- 1.5 pounds lean pork, sliced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 8 cups of water
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bullion cubes
- 1 bundle of green onions, chopped
Method
Step One
Start by cleaning the bitter gourds. Cut them in half and scoop out the insides, removing all the seeds and pith. Slice them into thin half-moons and set aside.
Step Two
Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant.
Step Three
Add the sliced lean pork to the pot and stir-fry until it is no longer pink on the outside. This should take a few minutes.
Step Four
Add in the sliced bitter gourd and the diced tomatoes, then sauté for a few more minutes until the tomatoes are softened and the bitter gourd is slightly wilted.
Step Five
Pour in the 8 cups of water and add in the bullion cubes. Stir until the cubes are completely dissolved in the water.
Step Six
Season the soup with salt and black pepper, then lower the heat and let the soup simmer. It is ready when the bitter gourd slices are soft to the touch.
Step Seven
Just before serving, add the chopped green onions to the soup and give it one final stir. Serve the soup hot. Enjoy your Bitter Gourd Soup.
