Chinese Winter Melon Soup

For the chilly late-Fall and Winter nights coming up, may I recommend brewing up a big ol’ pot of Chinese winter melon soup. It’s as good a chicken soup and much, much tastier.

Plus, it’s easy to make.

Ingredients

• CHINESE WINTER MELON, 1, peeled, seeded, cut into 2-inch chunks
• WATER, 3 cups
• CHICKEN BROTH, 3 cups (or two cans)
• CHICKEN, 1 cup fresh or leftover, cut into small pieces
• FRESH GINGER, 1 3-inch piece, sliced into rounds or smashed
• COOKED HAM, ¼ cup chopped
• MUSHROOMS, 8 ounces sliced and sautéed, or 2 small cans
• GARLIC SALT, to taste
• GREEN ONIONS, chopped for garnish

Directions

1. In a large pot, bring the water and chicken broth to boiling.
2. Add in the chicken, fresh ginger, cooked ham, and mushrooms.
3. Bring back to a boil, then add in the Chinese winter melon and reduce to a simmer.
4. Cook until the melon is tender.
5. Add garlic salt to taste, and garnish with chopped green onions.
6. Serve hot in a bowl with steamed rice on the side.