Stuffed Bitter Melon (镶苦瓜)
These unremarkable fermented black beans (douchi) add superb umami to the stuffed meat and bitter melon.
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 medium bitter melon (~1/2 lb or 225g)
- 1/4 lb ground pork
- 1 teaspoon fermented black beans (douchi)
- 1 half inch ginger
- peeled and minced
- 1/2 teaspoon light soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1 raw egg 2 (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Chop 1 teaspoon of fermented black beans into small pieces. Add the black beans, minced ginger, 1/4 teaspoon of light soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon of sugar, and 1 raw egg (optional) to the ground pork. Thoroughly mix everything in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
- 2
Wash the bitter melon thoroughly. Remove the two ends. Cut the bitter melon into 1 inch (~2.5cm) chunks. Use a spoon or huller to carefully scoop out the seeds. Lay the hollowed bitter melon chunks on a flat plate.
- 3
Heat a steamer or a large pot with a steamer rack under medium-high heat. While waiting for the water to boil, stuff the hollowed bitter melons chunks with the pork mixture. When the bitter melon chunks have been filled, add a little more stuffing to cover the top (as shown). Repeat until all the bitter melon chunks are filled.
- 4
When the water in the steamer begins to boil, gently transfer the stuffed bitter melon to the steamer. Cover the lid and maintain a medium-high heat for 10 minutes. When 10 minutes are up, remove the lid and carefully transfer the dish to an insulated surface. Let cool for 1 or 2 minutes before enjoying.