Celebrate the NiceGourd Festival with a Delicious Bitter Gourd Stew
As the NiceGourd Festival approaches, we’re excited to share a mouth-watering recipe that’s sure to impress your friends and family. This Bitter Gourd Stew is a classic Chinese dish that’s both easy to make and packed with flavor.
Gather Your Ingredients
To make this recipe, you’ll need:
- 1/2 chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces (or use chicken thighs and other cuts)
- Half a bitter gourd (about 300-400g)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon tau cheo (soya bean paste)
- 1/2 tablespoon black fermented beans (rinsed, patted dry, and mashed slightly)
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled and bruised
- 5 slices of ginger
- Salt
- 1 tablespoon Chinese wine (shao hsing/hua tiao)
- Light soy sauce, to taste (optional)
- Sauce ingredients: 1 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon sugar
Prepare the Bitter Gourd
Cut the bitter gourd in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and white pulp using a spoon. Rub some salt on the flesh portion and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off the salt. This step helps remove some of the bitterness, but feel free to skip it if you prefer a stronger flavor. Slice the bitter gourd into 2.5cm (1 inch) vertical slices.
Stir-Fry the Ingredients
Heat the sesame oil in a clay pot over medium heat. Add the tau cheo and fermented black beans and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chicken pieces, bitter gourd, garlic, and ginger, and stir-fry until the chicken is no longer pink on the surface.
Season to Perfection
Season the stew with light soy sauce or salt to taste. If desired, add a splash of Chinese wine as a finishing touch and turn off the heat when you smell the lovely aroma of the wine.
Serve and Enjoy
This Bitter Gourd Stew serves 3-4 people and takes about 1 hour to prepare, with 30 minutes of active cooking time. It’s a perfect dish to celebrate the NiceGourd Festival with your loved ones. So go ahead, give it a try, and savor the flavors of this delicious stew!
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