Bittergourd Pork Tail Bones Soup ~ 苦瓜猪尾骨汤

This is a very refreshing soup to serve during this 'lock down' period and when  the weather is so hot and humid.  It also helps to cool down one's  temperament when some people can be so frustrated and highly strung when the Government ordered us to 'Stay At Home'.  You can serve this at your meals or just enjoy it on its own.  Don't be intimidated by the word 'Bittergourd'... it only has a slight hint of bitter but cool taste.

Bittergourd Pork Tail Bone Soup  ~    苦瓜猪尾骨汤

Ingredients

• 500 gm Pork tail bones
• 170 gm Bittergourd                             
• 1 burnt garlic
• 3 dried oysters (soaked for a while)
• 50 gm seedless red dates
• 2 lt water
• Sea salt to taste

Method

1. Blanch the pork bones in hot water for a few minutes, take out and rinse in water, drain and set aside.
2. Remove the seeds from the bittergourd, cut into quarters.
3. Bring 2 lt of water to the boil and add in the bittergourd, pork bones, burnt garlic, dried oysters, red dates, simmer and cover the lid.  Let the soup boil for about an hour under medium low flame.
4. Add salt to taste and serve.