Recipe for Pork Bone, Winter Melon and Dried Scallop Soup
This comforting soup brings pork neck bones, winter melon and dried scallops together in a gently simmered, savoury-sweet broth. The winter melon turns tender while keeping its shape, and a few goji berries add a lovely pop of colour. Serve it warm and share a soothing bowl with family or friends.Please refer to the video instructions at the end of the recipe if you’d like to see how to make Pork Bone, Winter Melon and Dried Scallop Soup in action.
Equipment
- 1 large soup pot
Ingredients
- 850 grams pork neck bones
- 850 grams winter melon
- 30 grams dried scallops
- 4 slices fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon goji berries optional
Seasoning (to taste):
- Salt, mushroom powder, white pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients:Rinse the dried scallops, then place them in a small bowl. Cover with warm water and soak for 30-45 minutes, until softened. Keep the soaking liquid. Gently tease the softened scallops apart into light shreds. This helps them release their rich, savoury flavour right into the broth as it simmers.Place the pork neck bones in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak for 30 minutes, then drain and rinse. Add the bones to a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Drain, rinse the bones well, and wash out the pot. This helps remove foam and impurities from the broth.Remove the melon’s skin and seeds, then cut the flesh into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook:Return the bones to the clean pot. Add 9 cups of fresh water, ginger, the soaked scallops and their soaking liquid. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.Simmer gently. Cover partially and simmer for about 2 hours, skimming the surface as needed.Stir the winter melon into the pot. Simmer for another 25-35 minutes, until the melon is tender but still holds its shape. Rinse the goji berries (if using), then add them during the last 5-10 minutes of simmering so they soften without losing too much colour.Season to taste, then turn off the heat.
- Serve:Serve hot, with a little white pepper, if desired.