Stir Fried Bitter Melon with Fermented Black Beans
This quick, tasty, and healthy side dish will surprise you with its beautiful simplicity and rich flavor. {Gluten-Free adaptable, Vegetarian}
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 (1 lbs / 450 g) medium or 3 small bitter melons
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 dried chili pepper , broken into 2 to 3 pieces (Optional)
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 tablespoons fermented black beans , coarsely chopped (or black bean sauce)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Remove and discard the ends of the bitter melons. Halve lengthwise, and scoop out seeds and pith with a small metal spoon and discard. Slice crosswise into 1/4” (6 mm) half-moon pieces.
- Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the bitter melon slices. Let cook for 30 seconds or so, until half-cooked. Drain the bitter melon with a colander and set aside.
- Heat oil in a large nonstick pan (or a wok) over medium-high heat until hot. Add the dried chili pepper (if using), garlic, and fermented black beans, stir a few times until fragrant. Add the blanched bitter melon slices and stir for 1 minute or so. Add soy sauce and sugar. Stir until the bitter melon is just tender, 1 minute or so. Taste the bitter melon. Sprinkle with more salt and stir again, if needed. Once done, transfer everything to a plate.
- Serve hot as a side.
Nutrition
Serving: 4g, Calories: 75kcal, Carbohydrates: 9.4g, Protein: 1.6g, Fat: 3.7g, Saturated Fat: 0.6g, Sodium: 334mg, Potassium: 215mg, Fiber: 0.3g, Sugar: 3.6g, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 0.4mg