Winter Melon Soup

Warm up your soul with a comforting bowl of Winter Melon Soup, a classic Chinese recipe known for its delicate flavor and nourishing qualities. Featuring tender cubes of winter melon, thinly sliced pork loin, umami-rich dried shrimp, and earthy shiitake mushrooms, this hearty soup is simmered in a gingery chicken stock that soothes and satisfies. Perfect for chilly evenings or a light, wholesome meal, this dish boasts a blend of fragrant aromatics and savory depth, complemented by its velvety texture. Ready in just an hour, Winter Melon Soup is ideal for family dinners or when you're craving a taste of traditional Asian comfort food. Garnished with fresh spring onions for a bright finish, it’s a must-try centerpiece for your winter menu.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 kg winter melon
• 300 g boneless pork loin
• 50 g dried shrimp
• 5 whole shiitake mushrooms
• 1 inch piece ginger
• 2 whole spring onions
• 1.5 liters chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

Directions

Step 1

Begin by soaking the dried shrimp in warm water for about 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.

Step 2

Soak the shiitake mushrooms in warm water until softened (about 15 minutes), then remove the stems and slice the caps into thin strips.

Step 3

Peel the winter melon, remove the seeds, and cut the flesh into bite-sized cubes.

Step 4

Peel and slice the ginger into thin pieces.

Step 5

Finely chop the spring onions, separating the white and green parts.

Step 6

Slice the pork loin thinly and marinate with soy sauce and a pinch of white pepper.

Step 7

Heat a tablespoon of cooking oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ginger slices and white parts of the spring onions, sautéing until fragrant.

Step 8

Add the sliced pork and cook until the meat is no longer pink.

Step 9

Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil.

Step 10

Once boiling, add the winter melon cubes, shiitake mushrooms, and dried shrimp.

Step 11

Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes, or until the winter melon becomes translucent and tender.

Step 12

Season the soup with salt and the remaining white pepper.

Step 13

Garnish the soup with the green parts of the spring onions before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3004g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1789.3

Total Fat 100.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 8.4g
Cholesterol 597mg	0%
Sodium 6909.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 44.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.3g	0%
Total Sugars 18.5g
Protein 175.3g	0%

Vitamin D 13.5IU	0%
Calcium 419.5mg	0%
Iron 15.7mg	0%
Potassium 2248.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 50.7%

Protein: 39.3%

Carbs: 10.0%