Vietnamese Bittermelon Soup - Canh Kho Qua Recipe (with Video)

Preparation of Ingredients
1. Pre-soak your dried wood ear mushroom and thin clear vermicelli in warm water for 10 minutes.
2. Drain, rinse, and cut your vermicelli into smaller slices with a pair of scissors. Set aside.
3. Clean and slice your bitter melon into thirds. Hollow the seeds out.
Preparing the Filling
1. Combine all the ingredients for the filling.
2. Stuff each bitter melon section with enough pork mix.
Cooking the Stuffed Bitter Melon
1. Add all stuffed bitter melon into a 3 qt pot and add water to fill half the pot.
2. Bring to the stove and bring to boil over medium high heat.
3. Once boiling, remove all the impurities from the broth and discard.
4. Lower the heat to simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
Seasoning and Serving
1. Add all the seasonings: fish sauce, sugar, chicken powder, MSG.
2. Add green onions and taste to adjust if needed.
3. Serve hot with a side of rice.