Study to make Stir-Fried Bitter Melon and Eggplant and benefit from the well being advantages of those distinctive Asian greens. Seasoned with savory Japanese miso and heat ginger, this vegan-friendly dish pairs fantastically with sizzling steamed rice.
This Stir-Fried Bitter Melon and Eggplant with Miso celebrates the distinctive and mighty greens which are extremely appreciated in lots of Asian houses!
Whereas I didn’t develop up liking bitter melon and eggplant, I’ve grown to like them—not simply because they’re extremely good for you, but additionally for his or her distinctive texture and taste. Do you may have an analogous expertise?
When cooked proper and seasoned properly, the mixture of bitter melon and eggplant makes a phenomenal dish. Should you love each greens, this recipe is for you! It’s easy but completely scrumptious. For many who want to develop their palate for Japanese greens, I’d love so that you can give this a strive!
About Bitter Melon
Each bitter melon and eggplant are used throughout varied Asian cuisines, together with East Asian, Southeast Asian, and South Asian recipes.
They’re amongst these greens that always get blended reactions. One has a bitter style, and the opposite has a spongy texture. Youngsters usually aren’t keen on them, which is comprehensible.
Since most individuals are acquainted with eggplant, I’ll speak extra about bitter melon right here. Bitter melon, often known as bitter gourd and goya, is technically a inexperienced fruit associated to different vining cucurbits like cucumbers, zucchini, winter melons, and pumpkins. It’s the bitterness within the melon that earns it the identify of superfood.
After I was younger, I might hear my mother sing praises of its medicinal properties. I had no thought what particular advantages it had, however now I do know it’s full of many essential vitamins and has the potential to decrease ldl cholesterol and blood sugar. The Okinawans know a factor or two about bitter melon, as it’s their staple meals!
Are you curious? You’ll be able to be taught extra in regards to the well being advantages of bitter melon right here and right here. It’s fairly spectacular!
Why You’ll Get pleasure from This Recipe
You probably have cooked bitter melon and eggplant earlier than, you understand that it may be tough, however my methodology of preparation and seasonings improve their distinctive traits.
The dish additionally jogs my memory of the essence of ‘mom-style’ cooking, as we deal with nourishment with out sacrificing taste. It’s straightforward, stuffed with umami, and so good for you!
Components You’ll Want
- Bitter melon — There are a couple of kinds of bitter melon. Select the smaller dimension with numerous bumps. The pores and skin ought to look contemporary and glossy inexperienced.
- Japanese eggplant — Japanese eggplant has richer and extra vibrant purple pores and skin, however you may sub with Chinese language eggplant if that’s what you will discover.
- Ginger
- Impartial oil
- Seasonings: Miso, mirin, soy sauce, sake
The best way to Make Stir-Fried Bitter Melon and Eggplant
- Put together the components. Combine the seasonings in a bowl, lower the ginger and bitter melon.
- Warmth a big pan, add oil, and stir-fry the bitter melon for 1 minute. Flip off the warmth and switch the bitter melon to a dish.
- Minimize the eggplant proper earlier than cooking(See Recipe Card on the slicing approach).
- Warmth the pan once more, add oil, and stir-fry the eggplant.
- Cowl, cut back the warmth, and steam the eggplant till tender.
- Uncover, add the minced ginger, and shortly stir.
- Add the bitter melon again to the pan and stir to mix.
- Add the seasonings, and give every part a fast stir once more. It’s able to serve!
Recipe Ideas and Methods
- Thinly slice the bitter melon to an analogous thickness so it cooks shortly and evenly.
- Minimize the eggplant proper earlier than cooking to stop discoloration. Additionally, lower it utilizing a Japanese slicing approach referred to as rangiri. This ensures each bit will get coated with oil simply and the within will get cooked sooner.
- Warmth the wok till it’s sizzling earlier than including the greens for stir-frying in order that they sear properly.
- As it is a stir-fry dish, you need to transfer the greens shortly and ensure each bit is available in contact with the oil and the warmth of the wok.
The best way to Retailer
Stir-fries are greatest loved sizzling and contemporary proper after they’re tossed within the wok. Nevertheless, if in case you have leftovers, you may retailer them in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as three days.
The Miso I Utilized in This Recipe
For this recipe, I used Hikari Miso’s 3-Yr Aged Miso as my fundamental taste seasoning. The miso’s aroma and deep savoriness fantastically complement the bitter melon and eggplant, because of their sturdy flavors and sophisticated fermentation.
You should use different kinds of miso, however I positively suggest this wealthy and bold-tasting miso for a flavorful stir-fry.
What to Serve with This Dish
This Stir-Fried Bitter Melon and Eggplant is great when served in an ichiju sansai (“one soup, three dishes”) meal. You’ll be able to serve it with different Asian meals in an analogous format too.
Additionally, don’t neglect to strive my favourite dishes that function bitter melon and eggplant!
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Stir-Fried Bitter Melon and Eggplant with Miso
Study to make Stir-Fried Bitter Melon and Eggplant and benefit from the well being advantages of those distinctive Asian greens. Seasoned with savory Japanese miso and heat ginger, this vegan-friendly dish pairs fantastically with sizzling steamed rice.
Components
Stop your display from going darkish
Directions
To Put together the Components
To Stir-Fry
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Warmth a big pan on medium-high warmth. When it‘s sizzling, add 1 Tbsp impartial oil and distribute it. When the oil is sizzling, add the bitter melon.
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Stir-fry on medium-high warmth for 1 minute. Flip off the warmth and switch the bitter melon to a dish.
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Discard the tops of 2 Japanese eggplants and lower them in half lengthwise. Slice the eggplant diagonally, rotating 1 / 4 flip after every lower. This Japanese slicing approach known as rangiri. Tip: We lower the eggplant proper earlier than cooking so it doesn‘t change colour. If you wish to lower forward of time, soak the lower items in water to stop discoloration, then dry with a clear towel earlier than stir-frying.
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Warmth the big pan once more over medium-high warmth. When it‘s sizzling, add 1 Tbsp impartial oil and distribute it within the pan. When the oil is sizzling, add the eggplant.
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Stir and coat with the oil, after which cowl. Scale back the warmth to low and let it steam till the eggplant is tender, about 5 minutes.
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Uncover, add the minced ginger, and shortly stir.
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Add the bitter melon again to the pan and shortly stir.
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Add the seasonings and shortly stir.
