You know when you're old when. . .

This is one of my favorite soup and its low cal too.  When I was a child, I didn't really like this soup because of the bitter melon.  As like its namesake, when bitter melon not done right, then it's bitter.  However, when don't correctly, then the melon contribute a sweetness to the soup.  It still have an after taste but it's not bitter anymore.

Because it's bitter, my mother always said that bitter melon is good for your health; "Bitter is medicine".  I don't know how true this is but there are studies that state bitter melon fruit and leaves have been used to cure cancer and diabetes.  Some studies state that it shrinks hemorrhoids.  All I know that I am considered old because I love this soup because when you're old you like the bitter melon.

Bitter Melon Soup with Sparerib Soup - Kaeng Chued Mara

3 cups of water
1/2 cup spareribs, small (preferably ribs with soft bone)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 pinch ground pepper
1 clove of garlic
1 bitter melon, cut up into 2 x 2 pieces

Cut the bitter melon across to 2" pieces.  Cut those piece lengthwise and remove the white fluff  and seed.  Soak the beitter melon in salt water before adding to soup (about an hour).

Heat the water and spareribs on medium heat.  Add ground pepper, garlic and soy sauce and let simmer on low or medium heat.  Add the bitter melon pieces and let simmer until the bitter melon is soft, easy to cut the melon a spoon. You may need to add more water from time to time. Also add soy sauce if needed.

If want a vegetarian fare, skip the spareribs and use vegetable stock.  Add more vegetables like carrots, turnips and other tubular roots.

Enjoy!