Chinese Winter Melon Soup Recipe
Chinese Winter Melon Soup Recipe
Who’s ever had the pleasure of tasting Chinese Winter Melon Soup? Well, then you know just how comfortingly sustaining it could be. I first encountered the soup at a family get-together and was instantly hooked. The soup itself had a light yet hearty texture, with a clear broth carrying the subtle sweetness of the winter melon, as well as the deep richness of the meat stock. It is a wonderful balance of flavors, refreshing, satisfying, and easy to make.
I have tried the various versions over time and modified the ingredients according to my taste and the available ingredients. Through several attempts, I settled on a recipe that best fits the traditional version of this dish. Here is how you can make it at home.
Why Winter Melon?
This might not seem super interesting as winter melon is the star of this dish. While cooking, the melon soaks up that savory broth, then transforms to a subtle sweetness to improve this soup. The taste is mild, unlike the melons you eat from the store; but they are packed with nutrients. As the melon cooks, its flesh softens, which contrasts nicely with the richness of the broth. It is quite hydrating too so it helps to cut through the heavier meatier fare we typically have in the colder months.
PrintChinese Winter Melon Soup Recipe
For starters, you will not need a lot of ingredients. But you’ll probably have most of these things in your kitchen already.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 2.5
- Total Time: 58 minute
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Soups
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
- 3 lb winter melon, peeled and cut into thick chunks
- 2–2.5 pounds chicken and pork bones Or just one kind, but I prefer a combination for more flavor.
- 6 Chinese dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked in warm water
- 4 dried dates, soaked in warm water
- 16–20 cups water to cover ingredients is key for a good broth.
- Salt, to taste.
- Optional (but for taste, if you want to have something richer) Chicken broth powder.
The thing that I love most about this soup is that it can be made in different ways. The original broth is made from chicken and pork ribs, yet you could use any other meat, beef, lamb, or seafood. I’ve even made it with just chicken bones if that’s all I had and wanted a lighter meal and it still tasted yummy.
Instructions
Prep Your Ingredients:
- Cutting half of the winter melon into thick slices and then peeling them off.
- How you do it is to ensure that the portions are large enough to support themselves once they are cooking and small enough that they fit into the soup bowls.
- Put the chicken and pork bones in water, boil them for a short while, then discard the water and wash the bones.
- Place the dried mushrooms and dates in warm water, and soak them for about 20 minutes until soft.
Make the Broth:
- Place the bones into a large pot in which you should pour water in portions – 16-20 cups.
- Heat it till boiling point then turn down the heat, and allow the water to continue heating on a low flame.
- After about an hour the broth must be ready and during this time one should stir it occasionally and remove the scum forming on the surface.
Add the Flavor Makers:
- After the broth has turned clear, add the winter melon, dried shiitake mushrooms, and the soaked dates.
- Allow the mixture to cook for some other half an hour or so, till the winter melon gets tender, and soak the added spices and the essence.
The soup should have a pleasant shape, although it should easily MELT once it reaches the mouth.
After everything is cooked, taste this soup. Depending on the spiciness of the sauce, I often put some salt and occasionally some chicken broth powder to increase the broth flavor. If you prefer to create a spicy dish, you can also grind in a little white pepper but this isn’t mandatory.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Spoon the soup into bowls and remember to divide the tender melon with the broth and the mushrooms nicely.
- If you wish to add even more, then sprinkle a few finely chopped cilantro leaves or a few green onions.
- The soup is ready for serving!!!
Notes
Meat Variations:
- What makes this soup special is the freedom of choice.
- If you don’t prefer the taste of pork or chicken, you can add beef bones or possibly lamb bones instead.
- If you would like a lighter version, then seafood is good as well.
- Use slow cooking, and remember that the duration that it takes for various meat products to be cooked may vary slightly.
Make It Ahead:
- This soup is even better eaten the second time the next day because all the flavors meld together.
- This dish is a work of art and can be prepared in large quantities and used in the following days.
Clear Broth:
- Lifting the foam that forms at the surface of the broth as it boils is important to achieve a clean soup.
- This added step gives the soup a nice presentation and keeps the taste very clean.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 150–200 kcal
- Sodium: 600–800mg
- Fat: 10–15g
- Carbohydrates: 10–12g
- Fiber: 2–3g
- Protein: 12–18g (depending on the type of meat used)
Keywords: Chinese Winter Melon Soup Recipe, Chinese winter melon soup recipe easy, Chinese winter melon soup recipe with chicken
Health Benefits:
- Winter melon is high in water content and is therefore suitable for the body’s water needs and digestion.
- The chicken and pork bones contain protein and collagen that are healthy for the skin and the joints.
- The finely chopped dried date can be used as a natural sweetener and is potentially used in Chinese medicine to strengthen the immune system and for circulation.
- One cup of this soup has very few calories and can complement a high protein and healthy fat intake to provide a satisfying appetizer.
Final Thoughts:
For whatever reason, I find myself coming back to this Chinese Winter Melon Soup recipe. This is very simple to make, nutritious, and can also be tweaked to meet the preferences of everyone. No matter when you’re making it for a family, friends, or simply you alone on a chilly day, it is a recipe that never disappoints. It’s one of my favorite pieces of recipe and I do hope you can enjoy it in the same way I do, thank you for watching!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Chinese winter melon soup recipe with chicken
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds of winter melon. Take the outer skin off of it and then cut it into thick slices.
- Cut 2 to 2.5 pounds of chicken. You can use a whole chicken, chicken pieces with bone, or even chicken bones.
- 6 dried Chinese shiitake mushrooms. Soak them in warm water.
- Take 4 dried dates commonly known as jujubes. Soak them in warm water.
- Ingredients should be covered with water, therefore using 16 to 20 cups of water.
- Add salt to taste.
- You can also add chicken broth powder to enhance the taste of the dish (optional).
Instructions:
- Gather the Ingredients: Wash the winter melon and peel off the skin before slicing it into adequate small portions. The chicken pieces or bones should be rinsed in hot water for a few seconds before briefly boiling. Sous the dried mushrooms and dates with warm water for 20 minutes.
- Prepare the Broth: These are put in a big pot with the chicken and 16–20 cups of water are added to the pot. Boil it, the heat should be reduced, and let it be on a slow heat, any scum formed should be skimmed off.
- Add Vegetables & Flavors: Add in the soaked shiitake mushrooms, dried dates, and winter melon. Leave it to simmer for 1.5 – 2 hours or until the melon becomes tender and the ingredients intermingled.
- Season & Enjoy: Add salt to your liking. You can also add chicken broth powder for flavor enhancement We have to add more liquids and remove some of the rice. Serve it hot.
Chinese winter melon soup recipe easy
Ingredients:
- 1 small winter melon, peeled and cut up into slices.
- 2 Chicken thighs or breast, with bone removed, skin discarded.
- 4 cups of water or chicken broth to the meal, in case you have it on hand.
- 1 to 2 dried dates, optional, for some sweetness.
- Salt to your liking.
- A few slices of ginger which is optional for the preparation process.
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ingredients: Peel the winter melon and cut it into small cubes. If you have the dried dates, chop them also into fine pieces. If using chicken, it should be cut into portions; if using thighs then it can be whole, and julienne the ginger.
- Cook the Soup: Place the chicken with water (or broth), diced ginger, and dates in a pot. Boil it, then lower the heat and let it cook for about 20 minutes.
- Add the Winter Melon: Place the winter melon pieces inside the pot and let it cook for another 20-30 minutes until the winter melon becomes soft.
- Season & Serve: Season with salt and pepper to your desire before warm the soup before serving.
Referred By Vocal Media Article Written By Mustafa Rangoonwala.
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