Bitter Melon Stir-fried with Beef is a delicious Sichuan-style dish that combines color, aroma, and taste. Not only does it have a unique texture, but it also offers various health benefits. Both bitter melon and beef are rich in protein and vitamins, providing essential energy and nutrients to the body. The bitterness compound found in bitter melon has a cooling and heat-clearing effect, making it particularly suitable for consumption during the summer. Additionally, beef is abundant in iron, which helps improve blood production in the body. This dish also enhances the immune system, making it beneficial for overall health when consumed in moderation.
Ingredients for Bitter Melon Stir-fried with Beef
| Beef | 300g |
| Salt | 6g |
| Sugar | 7g |
| Pepper powder | 2g |
| Cooking wine | 10g |
| Light soy sauce | 5g |
| Dark soy sauce | 2g |
| Starch | 8g |
| Edible oil | 18g |
| Bitter melon | 80g |
| Red pepper | 20g |
| Garlic | 8g |
Steps:
1.First, prepare 300g of beef. Cut it into slices against the grain and soak them in clean water. Squeeze out the blood from the beef and drain off excess water.
2.Prepare the marinade. In a bowl, add 1g of salt, a small amount of sugar for flavor enhancement, 1g of pepper, 10g of cooking wine to remove any unpleasant odor, 5g of light soy sauce, and 2g of dark soy sauce for color. Mix well until the beef absorbs all the marinade. Add a little water and stir quickly to allow the beef to absorb moisture and become tender. Take a small handful of cornstarch and continue stirring vigorously to retain the moisture and marinade in the beef. Finally, add 10g of cooking oil and mix well. Let it marinate for 10 minutes. The oil helps prevent sticking during cooking.
3.Split one bitter melon open and remove the seeds and pith. The pith is the most bitter part of the bitter melon, so it’s best to remove it completely. Then, cut the bitter melon into slices at an angle. Slice one piece of red bell pepper into triangular strips to enhance the colors, and thinly slice a few garlic cloves.
4.Blanch the bitter melon. Boil some water in a pot and add a pinch of salt and cooking oil. The salt adds flavor, while the oil helps maintain the crispness of the bitter melon and prevents nutrient loss. Once the water boils, blanch the bitter melon and red bell pepper for about 20 seconds, until the bitter melon turns from light green to emerald green. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool down and remove excess water.
5.Heat oil in a pan and continuously pour the hot oil around the edges of the pan. When the pan emits a light smoke, pour out the hot oil and replace it with room temperature oil. This technique prevents the beef from sticking when stir-frying. Add the marinated beef to the pan and quickly stir-fry for about 30 seconds until the beef turns white. Remove the beef from the pan and drain off excess oil. Stir-frying the beef at low heat keeps it tender and smooth.
6.Leave some oil in the pan, then heat it up and sauté the garlic slices until fragrant. Add 5g of oyster sauce for flavor, stir to dissolve it, and then add the drained beef. Add the blanched bitter melon and red bell pepper, and stir-fry evenly. Season with 2g of salt, a little sugar, 1g of pepper, and thicken with a small amount of water starch. Drizzle a little sesame oil for added shine, stir-fry evenly, and then transfer to a serving plate.
Tips
1.Choose fresh bitter melon: Select bitter melons that have a smooth texture and vibrant color. Avoid choosing ones that are too old or discolored to ensure better texture and taste.
2.Remove the bitterness: Before cutting the bitter melon, slice it into appropriate sizes and marinate it with salt for a period of time. The salt will help remove some of the bitterness. Rinse the bitter melon thoroughly after marinating.
3.Handle the beef properly: Choose tender and slightly elastic beef and slice it thinly. To enhance the tenderness, marinate the beef with soy sauce, cooking wine, and cornstarch for about 20-30 minutes.
4.Stir-fry quickly over high heat: When cooking, use high heat and stir-fry quickly to retain the crispness of the bitter melon and the tenderness of the beef. Avoid overcooking to maintain the texture.
5.Season appropriately: Adjust the seasoning according to personal preference, adding salt, pepper, and sugar in moderation. Be careful not to add too much salt, as it may overpower the refreshing taste of the bitter melon.
Bitter Melon Stir-fried with Beef is a delicious and healthy dish that perfectly combines the refreshing taste of bitter melon with the tenderness of beef. When you taste this dish, you will first be attracted by the unique flavor of the bitter melon. The slight bitterness of the melon provides a distinct texture that blends harmoniously with the savory beef, creating a delightful experience. At the same time, the tender texture of the beef adds richness to the overall mouthfeel of this dish.