I was born in Poland and raised in Germany before I moved to Canada in my teens... and eventually ended up in TX. Soooo... no matter how you look at it - never even close to Vietnam or its culture. Yet Vietnamese people kept somehow intertwine into my family's life. I am a very conservative Catholic and whether Christian or Buddhist, the Vietnamese people I met always shared the same values as us. My daughter's "bestest friend foreverest" came from Vietnam when they were both in 2nd grade and they both hit it off back then, almost 10 years ago. We are now also friends with her mom, Lan, who is the most caring, sweetest person ever. I've had major health issues and for the last 6 months I am unable to cook for my family (which is killing me more than the physical pain that I suffer from). Lan, despite being alone and quite poor is the only friend who cooks and brings meals for us. Sorry for the long intro, but I just had to pay homage to Vietnam and its people in general, probably because you, Helen seem like another beautiful Vietnamese person with the kindest demeanor and this wisdom that one can detect right away even when only listening to someone talk. So back to stuffed bitter melon... we call it bitter squash... It is THE BOMB! I love everything about it, including the bitterness. When Lan made it for us, she warned us that even though it is healthy, we might not be as crazy about it as we were about other Vietnamese food she made for us. Her daughter actually got into a fight with her saying that she should not make it for us, as it is too bitter and in order to like it one would have to be at least 1% Vietnamese genetically. So I don't know. Maybe we are a tad Vietnamese. Helen, you are absolutely right. This stuff causes unexplainable cravings. My goodness... what is it with the very caucasian and blond me, and Vietnam!!! Lol. And, since I already made this into an essay... I might as well ask a favor. Do you have a video on how to make this Vietnamese dessert from black sesame and coconut milk? My husband wanted to make it and Lan got him all the ingredients and told the recipe, but it would be better to actually watch someone make it. And also this special banana cake... It's supposed to also be a popular Vietnamese treat. I'd love to see how it's made. Lots of love and blessings to you and your loved ones. Thanks Helen!

my boyfriend is Vietnamese and the first time his mom made this for me I hated it. but after I had it a few times I became addicted, I can't get enough of this soup! we like to dip this in a fish sauce / Thai chili pepper mix. it gives a really nice spice. thank you for the recipe I can't wait to make it!

Just want to say thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes over the years.

Reminds me of childhood. Thanks for taking me back, this is something I can past down to my kids!

One of my favourite soups, thanks for posting

Love your video's Helen, and thank you for sharing that beautiful smile with us!

I’ve tried the recipe and I nailed it!!

I’ve tried the recipe and I nailed it!! Thanxs Helen..,Luv U

I love your channel! My husband is Vietnamese and I always count on your channel to show me exactly how to cook every meal! He always happy

This is my all time favorite dish to eat and make!!

Thank you Helen for all the recipes I am crazy in love with your Chanel !!

Omg helen thanks for the great recipes! Im filipina married to a vietnamese australian and im trying to learn to cook more vietnamese food coz he is very picky with food! Thanks heaps

The bitter melon's filling is so good and the bitter melon taste bitter but very healthy

No one like this in my family but its my favorite :)

Agreed, those who do love this dish will crave for it when you think of it. So true!!!!

lots of people started to eat bitter melons for health purposes. this is the best way to cook. less oil and healthier. we eat this very often in our home.

Product of the year. Good dish.

when i watch your both video (com tam,canh kho Qua) you make my mouth craving everytime

My dad makes this all the times. He really good at it. It's so good.

i made this for dinner and my boyfriend says its his favorite soup now. thank you so much Helen! love all your recipes!

Love your hair Helen! My mom cooks this all the time. I love it.

I have no idea why but I love this soup so much and even as a child I love this!

Thank you for posting! I used to hate this when I was younger. My mom always made me eat it by telling me it would make my pimples go away, and it didn't :( I miss homemade soup now that I'm in college, so it's nice to know how to make it when I crave it!

Right to the point and easy to understand, once I made the soup it was great! I never taste Bitter melon before a year ago. It will be part of my diet now ...thnx

minh cam on Helen nhe,chuong trinh cua Helen rat hay (y)

Yum!!! Love bitter melon recipes. Thnx! :)

i like i like , my mom is often make this food to me ,but we are thailand lolz .amazing love you.

I'm excited :) I have these in my garden. I'm gonna try this

Thank you for sharing your recipe. This is my favorite dish in happy and bad times!

I love your cooking Chanel thank you Helen

I love bitter melon. I know lots of people dont like it, but i think its the best. Its an acquired taste.

LOVE THIS!!! Crave it all the time!

I love this.

Thanks Helen! I love bitter melon, especially when it's stuffed. We stuff it with fish paste here in Singapore too and then cut it into slices. I'm definitely trying this as I've never thought about stuffing it with pork. Looks awesome! And you new look is great ! Thanks so much for all your wonderful recipes.

Going to try this,,ilove stir fried bitter mellon with pork and eggs..

Thanks Helen's ..I Love U

I love bitter melon, my mom use to cook this for me!!!

Grew up eating this, so yummy!

That looks so good!

Thank you so much everyone for all your kind comments on my new hair cut! They make me very happy^^

WONDERFUL!

Made this today so happy it turn out taste yummy

Looks great! Love the new do too !

thank you for the recipe! the egg roll idea is terrific!

Thank you so much for sharing this 😊

Thank You Helen you the best

My go to recipe…the best version that’s full proof every time!

One of my favorite vietnamese soups!! :) definitely an acquired taste.

Really great! Also what you do with the left over. Genius.

Your cooking is so awesome!

Yumm! The weather is starting to get cooler and this will be good to warm up with.

Thank you for posting this, I've been wanting to learn how to make this. : )

Thanks... you saved my nite.

One of my favorite Dish 🤤

I like that idea, makes me want to try it some day.

Thanks for the video! Great recipe!

Thank you for this vid Em. My friend suggested I try bitter melon. I'll try your recipe. Cam on.

I loved 🥰 stuffed bitter melon is fun 🤩 to eat and make as a family by helping and working together is easy

Yummy my mom always cooks this in the winter

This looks good.

Awesome recipe!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!! ☮️😂

Love your recipes. Just amazing. We cook bitter melon in a different way. We first cut them really thin, then add heaps of salt and wash with salt a few times to remove the raw bitterness. Then we fry it. We fry it until it is really golden and crispy. It is my personal favourite. We call it margose and the variety that we have is usually red inside. I discovered that in asian cultures, they stuff the bitter melon with fish and now I am discovering with pork. I don't eat pork but most definitely the idea of stuffing margose with meat is just pure genius. i have had stuffed fish margose but this time will definitely try stuffed meat margose. Thank you for your recipe. I enjoy cooking and enjoy. It is my number passion and pleasure in life. Love the series and keep the recipes going :)

try this today turn our great thanks for the recipe ! keep up the great work :)

Now I have a craving for bitter melon lol

I just had this soup today from a coworker. Couple years ago, my Taiwanese friend cooked this bitter melon soup and it was my very first time to see this vegetable and I tasted it, didn’t like it ‘cause it was so bitter for me but then I tried again and loved it. I was craving for it today and luckily my Vietnamese coworker brought a pot full of this exact bitter melon soup and I fell in love more 😂 I just wish I could eat this every day because it is actually good for your health especially if you have high cholesterol. Thanks for sharing it on here! 🙏❤️ I will definitely cook this tomorrow.

I love all ur recipe it so simple but then delicious!!

Love your hair and recipes!

Sooooo delicious!!! :)

looks so good im going to make it!

type 2 diabetic WISH ME LUCK !

So hungry watching your recipes. Thanks for the post and love the new hair!

Hmmmm. Makes me hungry

For some reason I'd always thought it was called Kho Hoa as in 'suffering flower' Haha I used to hate eating bitter melon soup when I was little but now that I'm older I actually miss eating it, and even crave it sometimes. Thanks for sharing your recipes Helen! :)

Me, my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandma HATE bitter melon. But my mother LOVES it. I think I'll make this for her birthday. :)

Awesome

My son's girlfriend is Vietnamese and she made this for me. I have diabetes so she made this dish to help me. It tastes wonderful!

Love the cut! Suits you!

Cute hair, Helen! I've never gotten used to the bitterness of the bitter melon but my parents loves it!

I love bitter melon,the more bitter the more tasty :)

Your hair looks nice in this video. Thanks for all the recipes.

Danke dir sehr^^

rất hay

Yummm!!!

thank you helen. i always try th pilipin stle Mplaya but your is better

Love your new hairdo! Very sophisticated👍😊

Yummay

ngon wa

You're amazing!

yummmyyyyyy

My favorite is stir fry bitter melon with eggs.

Thank you so much

I clicked the like button before i watch this video :)

Love the new hair cut. :)

I love your hair!!

Helen i hope your family and country will be safe in this hurricane...

I'm watching this while having a hot bowl of Pho Ga for breakfast ... challenge accepted! ^^

Your hair looks beautiful! :D And The food looks delicious :)

I really enjoy your videos greatings from Mexico :)

Thanks. Subbed!

I love your new hair Helen.