STUFFED BITTER MELON & GROUND PORK SOUP (Samlor Mrearse Nhourt Sach Chhrouk)

 Ingredients (Serves 4) 

• 1 lb of lean ground pork 
• 1¼ lbs of bitter melon, cut into 3 pieces (6-7 cm), seeded and washed 
• 1 bunch of vermicelli 1.76 oz/50 g (bean thread), soaked for 30 min., rinsed, drained, and chopped into long pieces 
• 8 cups of water 
• 2 teaspoons of sugar 
• 1½ teaspoons of chicken soup base mix 
• 1 teaspoon of fish sauce 
• 2 teaspoons of salt 
• ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper 
• 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 
• 1 shallot, finely chopped 
• 2 scallions (green onion), chopped 
• 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro

Procedures

1. Mix ground pork, 1 tsp of fish sauce, 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of chicken soup base, pepper, garlic, shallot, vermicelli, and chopped green onion in a big bowl. Then, stuff the mixed meat into the pre-cut bitter melon pieces. 
2. Boil 8 cups of water in a soup pot (high heat). Add the stuffed bitter melon pieces to the boiling water and cover for 5 minutes. Then, add sugar, 1 tsp of salt, and ½ tsp of chicken soup base and bring to a boil. Turn the stove to a low heat and cook for 35 to 40 minutes. 
3. Taste and add chopped cilantro to the pot and serve.