Stir-fried Bitter Melon
Chinese name: 清炒苦瓜 (qīng chǎo kǔ guā)Characteristics: Stir-fried Bitter Melon is a healthy dish easily made at home, which is green in color, fresh and crisp in taste, and simple to prepare.
Bitter melon helps to clear away and relieve heat, thus very good in hot climates. In addition, it has the effects of sharpening the appetite, nourishing the blood, supplementing the kidneys, strengthening the spleen, improving eyesight, preventing and treating cancer, and reducing blood sugar. These benefits make stir-fried bitter melon a very healthy dish, which is suitable for everyone, especially those with diabetes, cancer, and heat rash. Bitter melon in this recipe can keep the original flavor and nutrition of bitter melon to the uttermost, so one is not suggested to eat too much at a time; those suffering spleen and stomach problems should avoid it, for bitter melon brings on a feeling of being cold.
Note: How to choose bitter melons?
1. Choose bitter melons with big warts, for the bigger the warts, the thicker the flesh.
2. Choose those with a green skin rather than a yellow one. Yellow skins denote the melons have been picked too late, and their flesh will be soft and not crisp.
3. Dark green bitter melons have a more bitter taste than the light green ones. Choose according to one’s personal taste.
Ingredients:2 -3 bitter melons, salt, sugar Note: the amount of salt and sugar used varies according to individual taste. Try using just a little of each, then add more once the melon is partially cooked and can be tasted. |
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Preparation:Wash the bitter melons well and divide them into halves (length-wise). Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Then place the halves face down on the cutting board and slice them thinly. Put the slices onto a plate for later use. Tip on cutting bitter melon slices: The bitter melon halves should be cut at an inclined angle to expose more flesh so that the seasonings can soak in more easily during cooking. |
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Methods:
| Put a wok on high heat and add the cooking oil. When the oil is hot, pour in the bitter melon slices and stir-fry for a few seconds. Add the salt and sugar and stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes. Pour the contents onto a serving plate. |
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| The attractive, healthy Stir-fried Bitter Melon is now ready to serve. |
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Our Guests Learn to Make Dumplings
A small group including Mr. David, Ms. Margaret from the UK, and Ms. Mary, Ms. Sonya and Ms. Sophia from the US took part in our private family tour to a local family in Xi'an. It was our great honor to know that some of them loved Chinese food for long, and they believed that the Chinese diet is the healthiest in the world. Some of them made dumplings and David chose to learn an easy but extremely healthy dish - Stir-fried Bitter Melon, which is very popular among Chinese as well. -
Mr. Guan in the Kitchen
Mr. Guan from Australia had a good time with his tour guide in a local family in Xi'an, where the hostess was very kind and offered a Chinese cooking class to him. It was great and he raised many questions about China and Chinese culture, including Chinese dietary culture. Mr. Guan was in favor of healthy eating, so he learnt to cook Stir-fried Bitter Melon, a very healthy dish, which is known to clear inner heat.See details at Mr. Guan's feedback -
Ms. Morag Learn to Make Dumplings
Ms. Morag from the United Kingdom enjoyed her time with our guide in a local family in Xi'an. She deemed this visit a rewarding experience because it was a really rare chance for her to know Chinese and their family life. And she learnt how important it is for a wife and mother to have good cooking skills and to supply the family with delicious food and a balanced diet. Also, Morag learnt to make dumplings, cook Stir-fried Bitter Melon under the step-by-step guidance of the hostess.
More popular vegetable dishes in China:
Stir-fried Spinach
with Minced Garlic
Spicy and Sour
Shredded Potato
Eggplant in
Sichuan Style
Green Vegetable
with Mushroom
Scrambled Eggs
with Tomatoes