Bitter Melon and King Oyster Mushroom Stir-Fry
A Delicious and Healthy Stir-Fry with Bitter Melon and King Oyster Mushrooms
The traditional market days in Busan are always a delightful experience, offering a chance to find fresh produce at great prices. Today, I’m using some wonderfully fresh bitter melon I picked up for a bargain to create a healthy and flavorful stir-fry. The slightly bitter notes of the bitter melon, combined with the chewy texture of king oyster mushrooms and the vibrant colors of mini bell peppers, create a dish that’s both visually appealing and incredibly tasty. Boost your energy levels with this delicious and nutritious meal!
Main Ingredients- 1 Bitter melon
- 2 King oyster mushrooms
- 2 Mini bell peppers (use a variety of colors for visual appeal)
- 1/4 Onion
- 4 cloves Garlic, peeled
Basic Sauce- 2.5 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Sesame seeds
Additional Seasoning (Optional)- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Soybean powder (or perilla powder)
- A little water (to adjust consistency)
- 2.5 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Sesame seeds
Additional Seasoning (Optional)- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Soybean powder (or perilla powder)
- A little water (to adjust consistency)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
We’ll prepare a delicious stir-fry using the star ingredient, fresh bitter melon, along with any leftover vegetables you might have in your refrigerator. Using up remaining vegetables not only reduces food waste but also adds a wonderful variety of flavors and textures to your dish. Start by washing all your vegetables thoroughly.
Step 2
This is the first step to mellowing the bitter taste of the bitter melon. Gently scrub the bumpy skin of the bitter melon under running water, or soak it in a mixture of baking soda and water or vinegar and water to clean it thoroughly. Then, cut the bitter melon in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to carefully scrape out the seeds and pith. Finally, slice the bitter melon into bite-sized, half-moon shapes.
Step 3
Slice the remaining vegetables into pieces similar in size to the bitter melon. Thinly slice the onion and cut the mini bell peppers into strips after removing the seeds. While you can mince the garlic, today we’ll slice it thinly to bring out a lovely garlic aroma. Prepare a few cloves of thinly sliced garlic.
Step 4
In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the basic sauce: soy sauce, salt, sugar, olive oil, and sesame seeds. Mix them well to create your sauce base. Having your sauce pre-mixed like this makes cooking much smoother and quicker, preventing any last-minute fumbling. It’s a great tip for efficient cooking!
Step 5
If the natural bitterness of bitter melon is a concern for you, a quick blanching step before cooking can significantly reduce it. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add a teaspoon of salt, and briefly blanch the bitter melon for about 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook it, as it can become mushy. After blanching, rinse the bitter melon under cold water and squeeze out any excess moisture. (Oops, I forgot to take a photo of this step!)
Step 6
Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the sliced garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Once the garlic starts to release its aroma, add the blanched and squeezed bitter melon, followed by the onion and mini bell peppers. Stir-fry until the vegetables begin to soften slightly.
Step 7
When the vegetables have softened a bit, pour in the prepared basic sauce. Stir-fry everything together again, allowing the sauce to coat and absorb into the ingredients. Continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes until the flavors meld together.
Step 8
Now, add the sliced king oyster mushrooms, which are another star of this dish. Sprinkle in the soybean powder (or your chosen perilla powder) and drizzle with sesame oil. Give everything a quick stir to combine and turn off the heat. The soybean powder helps to further neutralize any lingering bitterness from the bitter melon, but feel free to omit it or use a different powder according to your preference. (I actually intended to use perilla powder, but I ran out, so soybean powder it was! Haha). It’s perfectly fine to skip this ingredient if you don’t have it.
Step 9
Transfer the beautifully stir-fried bitter melon and king oyster mushroom mixture to a serving dish. You’ve now completed this healthy and delicious side dish! Enjoy the unique blend of slightly bitter and savory flavors in this stir-fry, perfect for a nutritious meal. It makes an excellent accompaniment to rice or even a light snack.
