Delicious and Flavorful Braised Winter Melon with Perilla Recipe for Family Meals

Winter melon is a common ingredient in Vietnamese kitchens, but have you ever tried combining it with perilla leaves to create a unique dish? Let’s explore the braised winter melon with perilla recipe that is delicious, nutritious, and easy to make at home!

Braised Winter Melon with Perilla – A Unique Combination of Familiar Ingredients

The braised winter melon with perilla dish not only offers a special flavor but is also rich in nutrients. Perilla leaves have a warming nature, helping to relieve colds and aid digestion, while winter melon is cooling and effectively reduces heat. When these two ingredients are combined, the dish becomes balanced in flavor and beneficial for health.

Ingredients Needed

To make the braised winter melon with perilla, you will need the following ingredients:

• Winter melon: 500g
• Pork belly or shoulder: 200g
• Perilla leaves: a small handful
• Shallots: 2
• Seasonings: Fish sauce, sugar, seasoning powder, ground black pepper

Fresh winter melon and vibrant perilla leaves

Steps to Make Braised Winter Melon with Perilla

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

• Winter melon: Peel, wash, and cut into bite-sized pieces (you can cut them into cubes or thick slices as desired).
• Pork belly: Wash, cut into bite-sized pieces. Marinate the pork with 1 teaspoon of fish sauce, 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and let it sit for about 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
• Perilla leaves: Remove the stems, wash, and finely shred.
• Shallots: Mince finely.

Step 2: Sauté the Pork and Braise the Winter Melon

1. Heat a pan over the stove and add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. When the oil is hot, sauté the minced shallots until fragrant.
2. Add the marinated pork belly to the pan and sauté until it turns lightly golden.
3. Pour in 1 small bowl of water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the pork for 10 minutes.
4. Add the winter melon to the pan, gently stir to ensure the melon is evenly coated with the seasonings. Cover the pan and continue to braise over low heat for about 15 minutes.

Winter melon being braised on the stove

Step 3: Finalize the Dish

• Once the winter melon is soft, taste and adjust the seasonings to your preference. Add the shredded perilla leaves, stir well, and turn off the heat.
• Sprinkle a little ground black pepper to enhance the flavor.

Tips for Perfecting Braised Winter Melon with Perilla

• Choosing winter melon: Opt for young winter melons with light green skin and white flesh for a naturally sweet and crunchy texture.
• Perilla leaves: Choose fresh, undamaged perilla leaves to ensure their distinctive aroma.
• Seasoning: To make the dish flavorful, you can adjust the amount of fish sauce and sugar according to your family’s taste.

Conclusion and Advice

With the braised winter melon with perilla recipe, you have a dish that is both unique and nutritious for your family meals. The tender, sweet winter melon combined with the distinctive aroma of perilla leaves is sure to delight everyone. Try this recipe today and share your feedback with us!

References:

1. How to Choose and Prepare Winter Melon Properly
2. Health Benefits of Perilla Leaves