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Stuffed bitter melon with meat is a refreshing, flavorful dish that's both rustic and nourishing. If you're not a fan of bitterness, give this trick a try!
While others focus on extravagant buffet items like salmon sashimi, Peking duck, ginseng chicken soup, or oven-roasted lobster, I tend to gravitate towards simpler, everyday dishes. I enjoy savoring their flavors and often experiment with recreating them at home for those craving moments.
A glimpse of some buffet dishes at TBQ Buffet
Similar to the other day when dining at TBQ Buffet with some friends, while they were all indulging in Namul dishes, rare finds in other buffets, such as tuna sashimi, grilled salt and chili mackerel, sour tamarind crab, Korean chili squid,... I was focused on TBQ Buffet's stuffed bitter melon dish.
A bustling crowd enjoying their meals
Being wary of bitterness myself, I had quite the demand for this dish. I could only handle a subtle, refreshing bitterness that melts on the tongue. Surprisingly, I devoured three pieces in no time and felt completely satisfied! I had to inquire about the secret behind making such delicious stuffed bitter melon, without the overpowering bitterness like at TBQ Buffet. Here's the method I discovered, shared for your reference.
Ingredients needed:
+ 3 medium-sized bitter melons, 8 wood ear mushrooms, about 200g minced pork, 1 duck egg
+ Coriander, spring onions, seasoning (fish sauce, pepper, seasoning powder, salt, etc.)
Revealing the secret to cooking stuffed bitter melon soup without bitterness
To avoid bitterness in the soup, firstly, choose bitter melons with large spines, wash them thoroughly, cut off both ends or slit the body lengthwise, remove the seeds, and rinse again. Blanch the bitter melons in boiling water and then immediately immerse them in cold water to retain their vibrant green color and appealing appearance.
Choose meat with some fat but not too much, as it may become greasy. After mincing the meat finely, marinate it with salt, seasoning powder, and pepper for about 15 minutes. Soak the wood ear mushrooms in hot water until they expand, remove the stems, and slice them thinly. Once the meat is marinated, add the soaked wood ear mushrooms and duck egg, and mix thoroughly.
Preparation and Setup
Wash the spring onions thoroughly. If you cut the bitter melon lengthwise, keep a few long stalks of spring onions aside to use as ties after blanching them in boiling water until softened, and then cut the rest into sections. Stuff the meat mixture into the bitter melon.
Using bone broth for soup will make it much sweeter. Season to taste and wait for the soup to boil before adding the stuffed bitter melon. Turn the heat to high, and once the soup boils again, reduce the heat and simmer until the bitter melon is tender. During this process, avoid covering the pot to prevent the bitter melon from turning yellow, which affects the taste. Occasionally skim off any foam from the soup (if any) to keep it clear and enhance the flavor.
Cooking the bitter melon uncovered helps maintain its vibrant green color beautifully
Sprinkle chopped spring onions and finely sliced coriander over hot soup bowls for fragrance, and you'll have a bowl of pleasantly bitter, intensely aromatic, and nutritious bitter melon soup without any bitterness.
In a buffet spread boasting nearly a hundred dishes, the smallest offerings like a bowl of bitter melon soup or a piece of rolled rice will reflect the chef's dedication. Seeing the plump slices of bitter melon, tender meat, immersed in clear broth, fragrant and rich without any bitterness, I felt impressed by the meticulousness of TBQ Buffet's chefs!
If you get the chance, gather your family and friends to enjoy the delicious offerings at TBQ Buffet during this year-end discount period!
Discover the exclusive end-of-year deals with up to 31% off at Buffet TBQ!
Visit Buffet TBQ at 279 Nguyen Hoang, Nam Tu Liem District.
Indulge in the culinary delights at Buffet TBQ, located at 279 Nguyen Hoang, Nam Tu Liem District.
Explore a gastronomic journey like no other at Buffet TBQ!
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