Spicy Stir-Fried Bitter Melon

Ingredients

• 2 bitter melons (about 400g / 14oz), thinly sliced 2 bitter melons (about 400g / 14oz), thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30ml) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30ml)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 2 red chili peppers, thinly sliced 2 red chili peppers, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (30ml) 2 tablespoons soy sauce (30ml)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (15ml) 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (15ml)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (5g) 1 teaspoon sugar (5g)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (2.5g) 1/2 teaspoon salt (2.5g)
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper (1g) 1/4 teaspoon white pepper (1g)
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 7g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 4g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. 2.
   Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced chili peppers. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the bitter melon slices to the wok and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
4. 4.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and white pepper.
5. 5.
   Pour the sauce over the bitter melon and continue stir-frying for another 2-3 minutes until the melon is tender and coated in the sauce.
6. 6.
   Remove from heat and garnish with fresh cilantro.
7. 7.
   Serve hot as a side dish or as a main course with steamed rice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bitter melon — To reduce the bitterness, you can soak the sliced bitter melon in salted water for 10 minutes before stir-frying. Rinse well before using in the recipe.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add a pinch of dried chili flakes to the sauce.
• Adjust the amount of sugar according to your preference for sweetness.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, remove the seeds from the chili peppers before slicing.
• Serve the dish immediately to retain the crispness of the bitter melon.
• Experiment with different garnishes like toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions for added flavor and visual appeal.

Serving advice

Spicy Stir-Fried Bitter Melon is best served hot as a side dish alongside steamed rice or as a main course with other Chinese-inspired dishes. The vibrant colors and bold flavors make it an eye-catching addition to any meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the stir-fried bitter melon slices in a circular pattern on a serving plate. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and sprinkle some red chili flakes on top for an extra pop of color.