Bitter Melon, Pork, and Black Beans

Unusual Ingredients

Bitter Melon, Pork, and Black Beans
Ingredients:
2 bitter melons, ends removed, ends, pith, and seeds discarded
1/2 pound ground or finely minced pork
2 teaspoons fresh garlic, peeled and chopped
1 Tablespoon peeled fresh ginger, chopped
1/4 cup sweet onion, chopped
1/4 cup stems and leaves of fresh coriander, chopped
1 fresh chili pepper, seeds removed and discarded, and minced
2 Tablespoons fermented black beans, minced
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 cup chicken broth
20 goji berries (optional)
Preparation:
1. Blanch the bitter melon slices for two minutes in boiling water, drain, discard the water and put the slices into a bowl of ice water for two minutes. Then drain and discard the water.
2. Put slices in a baking pan, cut sides up next to each other, but not touching one another.
3.Mix prepared pork, garlic, ginger, onion, coriander, black beans, and sesame oil and spoon a heaping tablespoon into the center of each slice.
4. Bring the broth to a boil and carefully pour into the baking pan but not on top of the meat mixture. Put one goji berry on the center top of each slice, then cover with aluminum foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for half an hour. Remove the foil, and put the stuffed slices on a preheated platter and serve.
Note: One-half cup peeled chopped shrimp can be added to the meat mixture.

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