Stir Fry Bitter Melon with Beef in Black Bean Sauce
豆豉牛肉炒苦瓜

Stir Fry Bitter Melon with Beef in Black Bean Sauce 豆豉牛肉炒苦瓜Stir Fry Bitter Melon with Beef in Black Bean Sauce 豆豉牛肉炒苦瓜

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 lb (375 g) flank steak;
  • 2 large bitter melons, 1 - 1 1/4 lb (0.5 - 0.75 kg);
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil;
  • Salt.

For black bean sauce

  • 3/4 tablespoon minced ginger;
  • 3/4 tablespoon minced garlic;
  • 1 tablespoon fermented black beans;
  • 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch;
  • 1 teaspoon cane sugar;
  • 1/2 tablespoon Liquid Aminos (a healthier version of soy sauce can be find in health food store or upscale supermarket);
  • 1/2 tablespoon dark soy.

For thickening sauce

  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch;
  • 1/2 teaspoon cane sugar;
  • 1 teaspoon Liquid Aminos;
  • 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce;
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water.

Recipe:

Serving for 2

  1. Slice bitter melons to 1/4” (3/4 cm) thick;
  2. Add 1 tablespoon salt, can use inexpensive salt, for 30 minutes or longer;
  3. Squeeze water out and wash off salt;
  4. Wrap with paper towel, set aside to dry;
  5. Thinly slice flank steak;
  6. Soak black beans for 15 minutes or longer and drain;
  7. Add minced ginger and garlic, mix well and press together, set aside;
  8. Spread bitter melon in a wok/sauté pan to dry over medium high heat;
  9. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and stir fry;
  10. Take bitter melons out and set aside;
  11. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the wok/sauté pan;
  12. When it get hot, add 1 1/2 tablespoons black bean mixture and cook for a minute or 2;
  13. Add flank steak and stir to brown both sides;
  14. Add thickening sauce in the middle;
  15. When it thickens, add bitter melon back;
  16. Mix and plate, serve hot.

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