Stuffed Bitter Melon in Lotus Soup

Ingredients
  • 1 bitter melon gourd seeded, cut into 2-3" rings
  • Handful of vermicelli noodles soaked in cold water until soft
  • Handful of dried black fungus mushrooms soaked until reconstituted
  • 1 cup vegetarian meat substitute
  • Diced half onion
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp fish sauce
  • 1 egg
  • Broth
  • Half of lotus root cut unto 1/2" slices
  • 50 oz vegetable broth
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tsp fish sauce
  • 1 4" lemongrass stalk
  • 1 tsp canola oil

Instructions
Mix all the ingredients for the stuffing and stuff them into the bitter melons. That's it, you're done with that part. For the broth, high-heat oil and toss in the garlic clove and lemongrass just to infuse flavors. Then add your broth, lotus root, and fish sauce. Cover and bring to a boil. Uncover and turn heat to medium. Carefully place your stuffed bitter melons in the broth, recover and simmer for 15-20 minutes.