Kiki Soup (Winter Melon Soup)

My boyfriend and I have renamed this soup after our dog, Kiki! It's not what you think - we're not that Asian where we eat our dogs! We used to give Kiki the pork bones from the soup and eventually stopped because it's not safe to give dogs cooked pork bones due to risk of choking. It's a nice, easy soup with minimal ingredients but does take around 2 hours to make. It takes a while to simmer the broth but it's worth it!

Ingredients: 

Pork bones 

Winter melon 

To taste: 

Salt & Pepper 

Sugar 

Fish Sauce 

Chicken Granules 

MSG

Onions & Cilantro (garnish - optional)

1. In a large pot, add water and boil water. Cut pork bones into pieces and wash under cold water. Add to the first pot, you don't have to wait for the water to boil to add the pork bones. In another large pot, fill it 3/4 full with water and bring to a boil. 

2. When the first pot boils, drain all the pork bones into a colander and wash under cold water. This cleans the pork bones so you get a cleaner, smoother broth. Add the pork bones into the second pot of boiling water. Turn hit to low and simmer for 1 hr 30-45 minutes. Occasionally stir broth every 15-20 minutes. 

3. Scoop out all the seeds of a winter melon with a spoon. Shave off the outer layer of the winter melon. Cut the winter melon into small chunks (1.5 x 1 inch). Set aside.

4. After 1.5 hrs of simmering, now it's time to season the broth! Add fish sauce, chicken granules, and salt to taste. I also add some MSG and sugar to taste as well. 

6. Turn heat up to medium-high and add winter melon. Will take about 15-20 minutes to cook winter melon. 

7. Re-season to taste if needed and add pepper. Garnish with onions and cilantro.