Delicious and Simple Vegan Bitter Melon Stew Recipe

Vegan bitter melon stew is a light, nutritious dish perfect for healthy vegetarian meals. The unique flavor of bitter melon combined with natural vegan ingredients makes this dish not only delicious but also beneficial for your health. Let’s explore how to make vegan bitter melon stew in this article!

Ingredients Needed

To prepare vegan bitter melon stew, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2-3 bitter melons
• 100g straw mushrooms
• 50g dried bean curd sticks
• Vegan seasonings: soy sauce, sugar, salt, vegan seasoning powder
• Vegetable oil
• Shallots or green onions

Ingredients for vegan bitter melon stew

Steps to Follow

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

• Wash the bitter melons, trim the ends, cut them in half, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Then slice them into bite-sized rounds.
• Soak the bitter melon in a light salt solution for about 10 minutes to reduce bitterness, then drain and set aside.
• Clean the straw mushrooms, remove the stems, and let them drain. Soften the dried bean curd sticks by soaking them, then cut into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Marinate the Ingredients

• Place the straw mushrooms and bean curd sticks in a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of vegan seasoning powder. Mix well and marinate for about 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Marinating ingredients for vegan bitter melon stew

Step 3: Stew the Bitter Melon

• Heat a little vegetable oil in a pot, then sauté finely chopped shallots until fragrant.
• Arrange the bitter melon slices in the pot, add enough water to cover them.
• Add the marinated straw mushrooms and bean curd sticks to the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
• Stew gently for about 20-25 minutes until the bitter melon is tender and has absorbed the flavors.

Step 4: Final Touches and Presentation

• Adjust the seasoning to taste, then turn off the heat.
• Serve the vegan bitter melon stew on a plate, garnish with a sprinkle of pepper and finely chopped green onions for added flavor.

Finished vegan bitter melon stew

Tips and Notes for Making Vegan Bitter Melon Stew

1. Reducing Bitterness of Bitter Melon:

   • Soak the bitter melon in a light salt solution or blanch it briefly in boiling water with a bit of salt.
   • Remove some of the white pith inside to reduce bitterness.

2. Choosing Fresh Ingredients:

   • Select bitter melons that are bright green, not too mature or too young.
   • Choose straw mushrooms that are still in bud form for better crunchiness.

3. Stewing Technique:

   • Cook on low heat to allow the bitter melon to soften gradually and absorb the flavors evenly.
   • Avoid stirring too much to prevent the bitter melon from breaking apart.

Benefits of Vegan Bitter Melon Stew

Bitter melon is not only a common ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine but also offers numerous health benefits:

• Helps to cool and detoxify the body.
• Assists in controlling blood sugar levels, ideal for vegetarians or those on a diet.
• Provides essential vitamins and minerals.

Conclusion

Making vegan bitter melon stew is truly simple and easy to do at home. With its light flavor, this dish is perfect not only for vegetarian meals but also as a great suggestion for anyone looking to enjoy a healthy dish. Try out the recipe above and share your results with us!

If you love this dish, don’t forget to check out more vegan recipes on our website!