Tastes Like Chicken! Recipes
(From Chicken Recipes Compiled Since 1992)

Winter Melon Soup

Category: Soups

Servings: 6

Description: Fresh winter melon looks like a large green pumpkin, though the taste is different. It can be found in Oriental markets.

Ingredients:

• 6 med dried black mushrooms
• 1 chicken breast (about 1 lb)
• 1/2 t cornstarch
• 1 1/2 t salt
• 1 lb winter melon
• 1/4 lb fully cooked smoked ham
• 1/2 C sliced canned bamboo shoots
• 4 C Chinese Chicken Broth
• 1/8 t white pepper

Instructions:

1. Soak mushrooms in hot water about 20 minutes or until soft. Drain. Rinse in warm water. Drain. Squeeze out excess moisture. Remove and discard stem and cut caps into 1/4-inch pieces.
2. Remove bones and skin from chicken. Cut chicken into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss chicken, cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate 20 minutes.
3. Remove rind, seeds and fibers from melon. Cut melon into 1/2-inch pieces.
4. Cut ham and bamboo shoots into 1/2-inch pieces.
5. Heat broth to boiling in 3-quart saucepan. Add mushrooms, melon and bamboo shoots. Heat to boiling. Stir in chicken and ham. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes.
6. Stir in 1 teaspoon salt and white pepper.