{"id":"recipe_94fdcdaba2","slug":"winter-melon-soup","title":"Winter Melon Soup","description":"A refreshing and light East Asian classic featuring tender winter melon cubes, savory pork ribs, and aromatic ginger in a clear, nourishing broth.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":45,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g Winter Melon","name":"Winter Melon","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"cubed","notes":"peeled and deseeded","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"250g Pork Ribs","name":"Pork Ribs","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":8.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"cut into pieces","notes":"small bite-sized pieces","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1500ml Water","name":"Water","quantity":1.5,"unit":"l","usQuantity":"6 1/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"","group":"Liquid","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"10g Ginger","name":"Ginger","quantity":10,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.35,"usUnit":"oz","form":"sliced","notes":"about 3-4 slices","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"15g Dried Shrimp","name":"Shrimp","quantity":15,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"whole","notes":"rinsed","group":"Aromatics","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 stalk Green Onion","name":"Green onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"for garnish","group":"Garnish","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tsp Salt","name":"Salt","quantity":6,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1/4 tsp White Pepper","name":"White Pepper","quantity":0.5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"tsp","form":"ground","notes":"to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place pork ribs in a pot with enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil, cook for 3-5 minutes until foam rises. Drain and rinse the ribs under cold running water to ensure a clear broth.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place pork ribs in a pot","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Peel the winter melon, remove the spongy seed center, and cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes.","group":"Preparation","title":"Peel the winter melon","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"In a clean large pot, add the blanched pork ribs, sliced ginger, dried shrimp, and 1.5 liters (6 1/3 cups) of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the blanched pork ribs, sliced ginger, dried shrimp, and 1.5 liters of water","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the cubed winter melon to the pot. Continue to simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the melon becomes translucent and tender.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the cubed winter melon","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Stir in salt and white pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions before serving.","group":"Finalizing","title":"Stir in salt and white pepper","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finalizing"}],"notes":"Using dried shrimp adds a deep umami layer to the clear broth. For a vegetarian version, replace pork ribs with shiitake mushrooms.","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["soup"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["large pot","knife","cutting board","colander"],"diet":["gluten_free","dairy_free","high_protein"],"allergens":["shellfish"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":1.8,"unit":"l","note":"Approximate yield including solids"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The soup base (ribs and ginger) can be made a day ahead. Add melon and finish cooking before serving to maintain texture."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat gently on the stovetop until simmering."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_94fdcdaba2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c6a81cea-80aa-4d64-a53c-4d073a74b9bb","imageAlt":"Winter Melon Soup — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["healthy","hydrating","clear soup","traditional","comfort food"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Winter Melon Soup","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T20:00:02.176Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T20:00:02.176Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_e2ae9b1de8","slug":"doenjang-jjigae-korean-soybean-paste-stew","title":"Doenjang-jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew)","description":"A classic, savory, and deeply comforting Korean stew made with fermented soybean paste, fresh vegetables, and silken tofu.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Korean"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_e2ae9b1de8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=35cff7fb-45a9-496f-9016-7db21223b71b","imageAlt":"Doenjang-jjigae (Korean Soybean Paste Stew) — recipe cover","tags":["korean","stew","doenjang","healthy","savory","comfort food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_ec6288b434","slug":"hot-and-sour-soup","title":"Hot and Sour Soup (酸辣湯)","description":"A classic, comforting East Asian soup that perfectly balances the heat of white pepper with the tang of black vinegar, filled with textures of silky tofu, crunchy bamboo shoots, and earthy mushrooms.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["soup","appetizer"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ec6288b434%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=301700b3-26d4-40c1-83b4-7da8431b02a9","imageAlt":"Hot and Sour Soup (酸辣湯) — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","sour","healthy","warm","traditional","tofu","mushrooms"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":12,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_7151041d49","slug":"korean-soft-tofu-stew-sundubu-jjigae","title":"Korean Soft Tofu Stew (Sundubu-jjigae)","description":"A comforting, bubbling Korean stew made with silken tofu, savory aromatics, and a spicy chili oil base. Perfectly balanced and high in protein.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Korean"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7151041d49%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=814d437f-4f87-4151-a74e-bf26ab4b3052","imageAlt":"Korean Soft Tofu Stew (Sundubu-jjigae) — recipe cover","tags":["korean","spicy","tofu","sundubu","protein","comfort food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":5}]}