How To Make Stuffed Fuzzy Melon Rings (Mao Gua)
What To Cook Today recipe - Chinese
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 20 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 fuzzy gourd (about 500-600 grams)
- 2 Tbsp dried shrimp
- 500 gr minced/ground pork
- 1 stalk green onion (finely minced)
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 Tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
- 1/2 cup Liquid from cooking the fuzzy gourd (top up with some chicken stock if you don't have enough)
- 1/2 tsp cornstarch + 2 tsp water
- Salt and sugar to taste
Instructions
- 1
Soak the dried shrimp in warm water for 10 minutes until soft and then finely minced. Add all ingredients for filling and seasonings in a large mixing bowl and use a chopstick to stir the filling in one direction until combined. The filling will be sticky and pasty. Cover and let marinade for about 15 minutes while you are preparing other things
- 2
This step is totally optional but you can taste the meat filling by bringing a small pot of water to a boil and then boil a small pinch of the meat filling and have a taste. Adjust the seasonings to your taste
- 3
Peel the outer hairy skin of the melon with a veggie peeler. Cut into about 1-inch (2.5 cm) rounds. Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds from each round. I didn't hollow through the round, but you can if you want to
- 4
Lightly dust the inside of the fuzzy melon holes with cornstarch. The filling will adhere better. Scoop the meat filling into the holes you created on the melon. Kinda overstuff it a little bit because it will shrink when you cook them. Use the back of the spoon to smooth the top
- 5
Bring water in the steamer to a boil. Place the stuffed fuzzy melon in a deep steaming dish (as there will be liquid oozing out) and steam for 20-25 minutes or until the meat is cooked through and the melon is soft and turns slightly translucent
- 6
Do not throw away the steaming liquid. Strain this to a saucepan to make the drizzling sauce later
- 7
Pour 1/2 cup of water into the inner pot of instant pot. Place a steaming rack or collapsible steaming rack in. Arrange the stuffed fuzzy gourd on top. Close the lid. Turn the steam release valve to seal. Push pressure cook, high pressure and set the timer to 10 minutes
- 8
When the timer beeps, carefully release pressure immediately. Very carefully remove the stuffed fuzzy gourd onto a serving platter. Do not throw away the liquid that collects under it. We will use it to make the drizzling sauce later
- 9
Transfer the liquid to a saucepan. Bring to a boil and have a taste. You may need to season with a bit of salt and small pinch of sugar to your taste. When you are happy with the taste, give the cornstarch solution a stir and pour this into the sauce and stir until the sauce is thickened
- 10
Pour this over the stuffed fuzzy gourd and serve immediately