Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Vegetarian Chinese Winter Melon Soup

Boring right? If its daily Indian food? Tell me about it. I however don't have a choice. My love the love of my life, my other half-half need his daily fix of Indian food (Tomato Spinach Soup). The escape for me from Indian food of course is when he is away (Rice Congee With Condiments). I think that is a fair marriage deal? I think so. Now, lets get down to making this soup and whoever said we can't make vegetarian Chinese dishes (Yam Basket Vegetarian, Vegetarian Fried Bee Hoon & Vegetarian Chow Mein). Am I a vegetarian? Nope. Maybe, every now and then, as and when, I do prefer vegetarianism (Mushroom Veggie Burger) and soups by itself, by far is simplicity. I like it. Back from work, look into the fridge, remember I told you, my fridge is always stocked up, and then those ingredients quickly prepared for going into a pot for simmering. Slow simmering of course for the flavours to rise up (Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup). But you need a good stock. Keep some stocked up as well. Without a good stock, soups may not be all that exciting to our palates.Vegetarian Chinese Winter Melon Soup? Winter melon, woflberries, dried black fungus, vegetable stock and parsley leaves garnished.

Ingredients
1 medium size winter melon - remove skin, discard seeds and cut into bite sizes
10 garlic - remove skin and smashed
3 tbsp wolfberries/kei chi - soaked in water to soften
10 dried black fungus - soaked in water to soften and sliced
1/2 liter vegetable stock (home made, store bought or use the granule type)
Chinese parsley leaves - chopped
1 tbsp oil
Pepper and salt for taste

Method
Heat oil and saute garlic very quickly - 2-3 seconds.
Pour in stock and add melon pieces.
Simmer over low heat until melon becomes soft and tender.
Add the rest of the ingredients and continue to simmer for another 3-4mins.
Garnish with parley before serving.

19 comments:

  1. A very cooling soup for a heaty body.

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  2. Really interesting post - you think it's going to be one thing and it turns out to be another!

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  3. This is one lovely "neutral" soup that you have here. The wolfberries are also really good for our eyes.

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  4. I love this soup -- we have it a lot whenever we return to Malaysia :)

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  5. I like the sound of wolfberries...haven't tried them yet. the soup looks very good.

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  6. Delicious soup. I need to find wolfberries. As temperature get down, we need lot of soup.

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  7. There are so many berries that I haven't heard of many of them.
    We often have parties and gatherings that I get tired sometime. I need to learn to make this, looks good.

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  8. I love winter melon soup. This is usually my first choice when I go to a Chinese restaurant.

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  9. I don't believe I've never tried a winter melon soup! and it sounds amazing paired with wolfberries.

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  10. very nice..
    my mum always make this soup for me

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  11. Thumbs up! I love this kind of soup! Wish I can go over any grab a bowl of soup from u!

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  12. I love winter melon soup too. For us Chinese, winter melon & hairy gourd are two different types of food. Hairy gourds are long like cucumbers & they're really hairy, unlike winter melons. Both are considered to have cooling effect too. Nice way to removed the heatiness from your body system, Nava. Clever usage of the wolfberry herbs.

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  13. A soup made with such exotic ingredients must be delicious :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  14. Such lovely photos! I've been meaning to try wolfberries :)

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  15. I never heard of this..sounds quite refreshing!!

    Happy friday! :)
    Charu
    http://www.myglossyaffair.com/
    http://www.myfashionfootprints.com/

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  16. Delicious and creamy soup with loads of vegetables!!

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  17. I never try melon soup but ther its always the first time to delicious

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