Braised Winter Melon

Method8 steps

1. 1

   Prepare the Ingredients

   食材预处理

   Peel the winter melon and cut it into small cubes no larger than 2cm on each side.

   冬瓜去皮，切 边长不超过 2cm 小块

   ⏱5 min

   • 💡 Cutting the pieces evenly ensures consistent cooking.切块大小均匀可以保证受热一致
   
2. 2

   Pan-Fry the Winter Melon

   煎炸冬瓜

   Heat cooking oil in a wok, add the winter melon, and gently pan-fry for 2 minutes until the surface turns golden.

   起锅烧油，放入冬瓜，缓缓翻滚煎炸 2 分钟 ，直至冬瓜表面泛金黄色

   ⏱2 min

   • 💡 Pan-fry over medium-low heat to avoid burning the outside while the inside remains raw.中小火煎炸，避免外焦内生
   
3. 3

   Set Aside

   盛出备用

   Remove the winter melon and place it in a large bowl.

   取出冬瓜，放入大碗备用

   ⏱30 sec

   • 💡 You can drain off some of the oil.可以稍微沥一下油
   
4. 4

   Stir-Fry the Base Seasoning

   炒制底料

   Using the remaining oil in the wok, add minced ginger, light soy sauce, and oyster sauce one by one, and stir-fry for 15 seconds.

   利用锅中的剩余油，依次放入姜末、生抽、蚝油，翻炒 15 S

   ⏱15 sec

   • 💡 Keep the heat low to prevent the light soy sauce and oyster sauce from burning.火不要太大，防止生抽和蚝油糊锅
   
5. 5

   Braise over High Heat

   大火焖煮

   Add the winter melon back into the wok, stir-fry for 30 seconds, then add boiling water until it covers the surface of the winter melon. Braise over high heat for 10 minutes.

   重新倒入冬瓜，翻炒 30 S 后，加入开水，水要没过冬瓜表面，大火煮 10 分钟

   ⏱11 min

   • 💡 Adding boiling water makes the winter melon more tender.加入开水能让冬瓜口感更软糯
   
6. 6

   Color and Braise

   上色焖煮

   Add dark soy sauce for color and continue braising until the winter melon is tender (a chopstick can easily pierce through it).

   加入老抽上色，继续煮，直至冬瓜软糯（筷子可以轻松插近冬瓜）

   ⏱5 min

   • 💡 Add dark soy sauce in small amounts at a time to avoid making the color too dark.老抽分次少量加入，避免颜色过深
   
7. 7

   Final Seasoning

   最后调味

   Add chicken bouillon powder, cooking wine (Shaoxing), and scallion, stir-fry for 30 seconds, then remove the winter melon and place it in a large bowl.

   加入鸡精、料酒、香葱翻炒后 30 S， 取出冬瓜到大碗中

   ⏱30 sec

   • 💡 Add the scallion at the end for a better color.葱花最后放颜色更好看
   
8. 8

   Thicken and Glaze

   勾芡浇汁

   Keep the remaining sauce in the wok, add starch slurry, bring to a boil, then pour the sauce over the winter melon.

   锅中剩余汤汁保留，倒入水淀粉，煮开后汤汁浇灌在冬瓜表面

   ⏱1 min

   • 💡 Thickening with starch slurry gives the dish a brighter, glossier finish.水淀粉勾芡能让成品色泽更加明亮