miniature bittergourd soup

this soup is supposed to help your body detoxify & has a "cooling" effect, but let me warn you, the miniature bitter gourd is seriously bitter!

Ingredients

5            miniature bitter gourd
1            carrot

1 pc       sun-dried tangerine (optional)

5 pcs      red dates (pitted)

2 pcs      dried oysters (optional)

1 pc        lean pork medallion 

              (cut into large strips of cubes)

2.5 ltr     filtered water

              sea salt to taste

• boil 2 ltr of water in a medium sized pot and 500 ml of water in a small pot
• wash & cut bitter gourd & carrot into large pieces
• when the small pot of water boils, add pork and boil for a minute or so. drain & leave aside
• wash red dates, sundried tangerine & dried oysters
• when the large pot of water boils, add the pork first then the rest of 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, omit the pork and oyster. add in a cup of washed soy beans to add to the "sweetness" of the soup.

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