hairy melon soup

this soup is supposed to help reduce the "heatiness" in the body but i make it mostly because its delicious. i also like eating the melon, so soft & fragrant


Ingredients

1            medium sized hairy melon

5 pcs      red dates (pitted)

1 pc        dried oysters (medium sized)

1 pc        about 2x2inch preserved salted radish "tai tau choi"
5 pcs      vegetarian soy nuggets

2.5 ltr     filtered water

               sea salt to taste

hairy melon, soy beans, vegetarian soy nuggets,
dried oyster, red dates & preserved salted vegetable

• boil 2 ltr of water in a medium sized pot
• wash & cut hairy melon lengthwise in half & cut into large pieces
• cut salted radish into thick strips, soak for 5 minutes and squeeze out excess water
• wash red dates, dried oysters
• when the large pot of water boils, add the prepared ingredients. close lid. boil for about 20 minutes on medium heat
• then turn heat to minimum and boil for 4 - 5 hours. depending on the type of pot you use, you many need to add some water in between
• add sea salt just before you serve the soup & turn up the heat for 5 minutes. do not stir soup vigorously after adding salt
• makes about 4 - 5 bowls of soup 

Notes
for a vegetarian version, remove oyster

for a meat version, u can use lean pork medallion

you may also use a slow cooker to boil the soup. you do not need to add any more water in between. just make sure you add boiling water to slow cooker before adding the ingredients. will need to boil for about 5 - 6 hours