Recipe for Beef with Bitter Melon Stir Fry (Khổ Qua Xào Thịt Bò)
This vibrant stir-fry combines tender slices of marinated beef with crisp, blanched bitter melon. Infused with the aromatic flavours of garlic and a savoury oyster sauce, this dish strikes a delightful balance between the rich umami of the beef and the unique bitterness of the melon. Perfectly garnished with fresh green onions, it’s a flavourful and satisfying meal that pairs beautifully with steamed rice.Please refer to the video instructions at the end of the recipe if you’d like to see how to make Beef with Bitter Melon Stir Fry (Khổ Qua Xào Thịt Bò) in action.
Equipment
- 1 medium pot for blanching the bitter melon
- 1 medium frying pan
Ingredients
- 300 grams flank steak (sliced into bite-sized pieces)
- 3 medium bitter melons
- Freshly ground garlic
- Green onions
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (mixed with a bit of water)
- For seasoning: Salt, ground pepper, MSG (or chicken bouillon powder)
Instructions
- Start by seasoning the steak with salt, ground pepper, and MSG (or chicken bouillon powder) to enhance its flavour. Add a small amount of baking powder to the mix, which helps to keep the meat tender. Make sure to coat the steak evenly with the seasonings and let it marinate for at least 15-30 minutes to absorb the flavours.
- Add a bit of freshly ground garlic to the steak and mix thoroughly to ensure that its aroma and flavour are well incorporated.
- Cut the bitter melons in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and inner pith.
- Once the bitter melons are cleaned, slice them into bite-sized pieces.
- In a pot, bring a generous amount of water to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water.
- Add the sliced bitter melons to the boiling water. Let them blanch for about 3-5 minutes. The goal is to soften them slightly while keeping them crisp and retaining their bright green colour.
- After blanching, quickly transfer the bitter melons to a bowl filled with cold water. Allow them to cool for about 10 minutes. This stops the cooking process and helps maintain their crunchiness. Drain the bitter melons thoroughly once cooled.
- Chop the green onions into small, even pieces. These will be added at the end for a fresh, aromatic touch.
- In a frying pan, heat a small amount of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the remaining minced garlic. Sauté the garlic until it becomes fragrant and golden brown.
- Add the marinated beef pieces to the hot pan. Stir continuously to ensure that the beef cooks evenly and begins to brown.
- When the beef is almost cooked to a medium doneness, add the blanched bitter melons to the pan. Stir well to mix the bitter melon with the beef and allow the flavours to meld.
- Sprinkle a little salt over the mixture and pour in the oyster sauce mixture. Stir everything together so that the beef and bitter melon are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Turn off the heat. Add the chopped green onions to the pan and give it a final stir to combine. The residual heat will soften the green onions slightly, adding a fresh and crisp element to the dish.
- The beef and bitter melon stir-fry is now ready to be served. Transfer it to a serving dish and enjoy hot, either on its own or with a bowl of steamed rice.