Best 3 Bitter Melon Stir Fry Recipes
Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd, is a unique and flavorful vegetable that is often used in Asian cuisine. With its slightly bitter taste and crunchy texture, bitter melon is a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. This article explores the many ways to prepare bitter melon, from stir-fries to soups and salads.
Some recipes include:
* **Stir-fried Bitter Melon with Eggs:** A classic Chinese dish that combines bitter melon, eggs, and aromatics for a simple yet satisfying meal.
* **Bitter Melon Soup:** A comforting and nutritious soup made with bitter melon, pork ribs, and a variety of vegetables.
* **Bitter Melon Salad:** A refreshing and healthy salad that showcases the unique flavor of bitter melon, combined with other crisp vegetables and a tangy dressing.
* **Stuffed Bitter Melon:** A labor of love, stuffed bitter melon involves carefully hollowing out the vegetable and filling it with a flavorful mixture of pork, shrimp, and vegetables.
* **Bitter Melon Tempura:** A creative take on bitter melon, thinly sliced and coated in a light batter before being fried until crispy.
Each recipe provides detailed instructions, cooking tips, and beautiful photos to guide you through the process of preparing these delicious bitter melon dishes. Whether you're an experienced cook or new to the world of bitter melon, this article has something for everyone.
GOYA CHAMPURU (BITTER MELON STIR FRY)
This is a traditional Okinawan dish with Asian bitter melon. I was introduced to it during my time there. I've combined a few different recipes into this one here. You can also add Spam®; it's pretty popular on Okinawa. Please note that the bitter melon has a very different taste, but its very good once you get used to it. It's also ridiculously healthy.
Provided by Travis
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Japanese
Time 3h30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cut tips off melons with a sharp knife; cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out white interior and seeds with a spoon. Rinse the melon and cut into very small pieces. Place in a bowl and generously add kosher salt, mixing until melon is completely covered. Cover and refrigerate until flavors combine, 3 to 4 hours.
- Rinse melon to remove excess salt. Place into a pot and cover with room temperature or cool water; cover and bring to a boil. Cook until melon has softened slightly, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; drain the melon.
- Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork; season with garlic salt and garlic pepper. Stir-fry just until the pink on the surface of the pork disappears, 3 to 4 minutes. Add melon and stir fry until soft, about 2 minutes more.
- Reduce heat to medium. Push pork mixture to the edges of the skillet with a spatula. Crack eggs into the center of the skillet; scramble until firm, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir contents of the skillet together until combined. Season with soy sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 258.8 calories, Carbohydrate 4.5 g, Cholesterol 147.5 mg, Fat 15.8 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 4.1 g, Sodium 539.5 mg, Sugar 0.3 g
BITTER MELON STIR-FRY
This is a favorite Filipino vegetable dish, although the slightly bitter taste of bitter melon needs a lot of getting used to. Cooking it this way lightens the bitter taste.
Provided by lola
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Filipino
Time 45m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion and garlic in the hot oil until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Mix the pork into the onion and garlic; cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir the prawns into the mixture and cook until no longer translucent, about 5 minutes more. Add the tomatoes; season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until the tomatoes soften, about 5 minutes. Stir the bitter melon through the mixture and cook until the melon is tender, about 5 minutes. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 159.5 calories, Carbohydrate 4.5 g, Cholesterol 90.7 mg, Fat 8.4 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 16.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 128.2 mg, Sugar 1.4 g
BITTER MELON STIR FRY
This is a new fruit I've just discovered. It is used as a vegetable and also considered a super food. It definitely is an acquired taste as the bitterness doesn't go away when it's cooked. I've read that once you get used to it you'll always go back for more.
Provided by Jo Zimny
Categories Fruit Sides
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. To prepare the bitter melon, cut in half length-wise. Remove the seeds and clean out the white pith inside. Cut into slices on a slant.
- 2. Sprinkle the slices with some salt and place in a collander to drain for about 15 minutes.
- 3. In a small bowl mash the chili pepper flakes and the garlic.
- 4. Heat a wok or deep saute pan on medium high and add 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic/chili mixture. Stir-fry briefly until aromatic (about 30 seconds).
- 5. Add the bitter melon, and stir fry for 2 minutes, then splas with the balsamic vinegar and soy sauce. Stir in the sweetener and cook for 1-2 more minutes until the melon is browing and softened.
- 6. Stir in a couple of drops of sesame oil if desired.
- 7. Serve Hot and Enjoy!
Tips:
- Choose the right bitter melon: Look for small to medium-sized bitter melons with deep green skin and firm flesh. Avoid those that are yellow or have soft spots.
- Prepare the bitter melon properly: To reduce the bitterness, cut the bitter melon in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and pith. Then, slice the bitter melon thinly.
- Soak the bitter melon in cold water: Soaking the bitter melon in cold water for 30 minutes will help to further reduce the bitterness.
- Use a wok or large skillet: A wok or large skillet will allow you to cook the bitter melon quickly and evenly.
- Add aromatics: Aromatics such as garlic, ginger, and onion will help to enhance the flavor of the bitter melon.
- Use a high-heat cooking method: Stir-frying, sautéing, or grilling are all good cooking methods for bitter melon. Cooking the bitter melon over high heat will help to preserve its texture and flavor.
- Add sauce or marinade: If you like, you can add a sauce or marinade to the bitter melon before cooking. This will help to add flavor and moisture to the dish.
- Serve immediately: Bitter melon is best served immediately after cooking. Reheating will make it more bitter.
Conclusion:
Bitter melon is a healthy and delicious vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. By following these tips, you can reduce the bitterness of bitter melon and create a flavorful and enjoyable dish. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting vegetable to try, give bitter melon a chance. You might just be surprised at how much you enjoy it!
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