Bitter Gourd Salad is a refreshing and uniquely flavored cold dish. Bitter gourd’s bitterness has a special effect in stimulating the appetite and cooling the body, while the salad preparation method helps to preserve its original taste. In the process of making this dish, bitter gourd is blanched briefly and then mixed with appropriate seasonings such as salt, vinegar, sugar, etc. A drizzle of sesame oil is added for extra flavor before thoroughly mixing everything together. The salad has a crisp texture with a slightly sweet and sour taste amidst the bitterness, creating a delightful and aromatic experience.
Ingredients for Bitter Gourd Salad：
| Bitter Gourd | 150g |
| Red pepper | 15g |
| Garlic | 10g |
| Salt | 2g |
| Sugar | 1g |
| Aginomoto | 1g |
| White vinegar | 5g |
| Sesame oil | 5g |
Step:
1.Prepare one bitter gourd. Cut off both ends of the bitter gourd, then quarter it. Next, use a knife to remove the flesh and seeds of the bitter gourd since they tend to be more bitter, so it’s best to remove them entirely. Then, we need to julienne the bitter gourd. First, make shallow cuts every centimeter on the surface of the bitter gourd without cutting through the entire vegetable. Then, slice the bitter gourd into thin and uniform strips using a technique called “phoenix tail” knife cut. Soak the julienned bitter gourd in a bowl of clean water for about 10 minutes. This soaking process helps reduce the bitterness and makes it more palatable in terms of taste and texture. Additionally, we can prepare a red bell pepper and cut it into julienne strips. The red bell pepper strips can be used together with the bitter gourd to add color and provide a slightly spicy flavor.
2.Prepare a few cloves of garlic. Crush the garlic cloves and finely chop them into small pieces. This step helps to release the aromatic flavors of the garlic and allows it to blend well with the bitter gourd. Next, remove the soaked bitter gourd from the water and gently squeeze out any excess moisture using your hands or chopsticks. This ensures that the final bitter gourd salad is refreshing without being overly watery.
3.Next, prepare a large bowl and pour the chopped garlic into it. Add 2 grams of salt, a little bit of sugar to balance the bitter taste of the bitter gourd. Also, add 1 gram of Aginomoto， 5 grams of white vinegar, and 5 grams of sesame oil. Salt helps to adjust the flavor and make the bitter gourd salad more delicious. The addition of sugar helps to neutralize the bitterness and adds a touch of sweetness to the bitter gourd. MSG enhances the overall flavor. The acidity of white vinegar and the aroma of sesame oil add layers and texture to the bitter gourd salad. Mix the salt, sugar, MSG, white vinegar, and sesame oil with the garlic using chopsticks or a spoon until well combined.
4.Pour the drained bitter gourd and the sliced red bell pepper into the large bowl. Then, use chopsticks or a spoon to toss and mix, ensuring that the seasoning evenly coats the bitter gourd and red bell pepper. During this tossing process, make sure each piece of bitter gourd and red bell pepper is fully coated with the seasoning, resulting in a harmonious and well-balanced taste. Once the bitter gourd and red bell pepper are thoroughly mixed with the seasoning, transfer the bitter gourd salad to a serving plate.
Tips:
1.First, choose fresh and tender bitter gourd with a vibrant green color. Slice the bitter gourd into thin rounds or julienned strips and sprinkle some salt over them. Gently massage the bitter gourd for a few seconds. This helps to remove the bitterness and enhances its crispness.
2.Place the salted bitter gourd in cold water and let it soak for about 10-15 minutes. Then, drain the bitter gourd well to remove any excess moisture. This step further helps to reduce the astringency of the bitter gourd and improves its texture.
Bitter Gourd Salad is a healthy and nutritious dish. Bitter gourd is rich in various vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, iron, etc. It has benefits like heat-clearing, detoxification, skin rejuvenation, and immune-boosting properties. By preparing it as a salad, we can retain the nutritional value of bitter gourd. The combination with other seasonings enhances the flavor and stimulates appetite while aiding digestion. This dish not only has a unique taste but also offers excellent health benefits, making it suitable for people of all age groups to enjoy.