Bitter Melon and Soybean Soup

 Bitter melon and soybean soup is a traditional light Chinese homemade soup. 

It has a subtle bitter taste balanced by the mellow flavor of soybeans, refreshing and nourishing. 

This warm soup helps clear heat and is widely enjoyed in daily family meals, especially in hot seasons.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

1 fresh bitter melon (about 300g)

120g dried soybeans

Auxiliary Ingredients

2 slices ginger

2 scallions (cut into sections)

Seasonings

A pinch of salt

A little white pepper

A few drops of sesame oil (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the soybeans

   Rinse the dried soybeans thoroughly. Soak them in clean water for at least 2 hours until fully softened. Drain the soaking water and set aside.
2. Process the bitter melon

   Wash the bitter melon. Cut it in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and white pith completely, as these parts taste extra bitter. Slice the melon into thick pieces.
3. Start simmering the soup base

   Put the soaked soybeans and ginger slices into a pot. Pour in an adequate amount of cold water. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat, then turn to low heat and simmer for 40 minutes until the soybeans turn soft.
4. Add bitter melon

   Put the bitter melon slices and scallion sections into the pot. Continue to simmer on low heat for another 15 minutes. Do not cook too long to prevent the bitter melon from turning mushy.
5. Season the soup

   Add salt and a little white pepper to taste. Stir gently to mix well. Simmer for 2 more minutes to let the flavors blend.
6. Serve

   Turn off the heat. Drizzle with a few drops of sesame oil if desired. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot.

Cooking Tips

1. Removing all the pith and seeds can greatly reduce the strong bitterness of bitter melon.
2. Soak soybeans in advance to shorten the cooking time and make them softer.
3. Keep the seasoning simple to retain the original fresh flavor of the ingredients.
4. Adjust the simmering time of bitter melon according to your preferred texture.
5. This soup tastes great both hot and warm.

Stir-fried Shrimp with Shanghai Greens

 This classic light home dish features plump bouncy shrimp paired with fresh crisp Shanghai greens.

 The taste is fresh and savory, low in oil and healthy, perfect for daily meals.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

180g fresh shrimp

250g Shanghai greens

Aromatics

3 garlic cloves

2 thin ginger slices

Seasonings

1 tsp cooking wine

1 tbsp light soy sauce

Pinch of salt

A little white sugar

Ground white pepper

Cooking oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare ingredients

   Peel off shrimp shells, remove the black vein, rinse thoroughly and drain water.

   Wash Shanghai greens and split into individual pieces. Mince garlic and ginger.
2. Marinate shrimp

   Put shrimp in a bowl, add cooking wine and white pepper, mix well and marinate for 8 minutes to remove fishy smell.
3. Fry shrimp

   Heat cooking oil in a wok over medium heat. Add shrimp and stir-fry quickly until it turns pink and curled up. Scoop out and set aside.
4. Sauté aromatics and greens

   Leave residual oil in the pan, stir-fry ginger and garlic until fragrant. Put in Shanghai greens, stir-fry on high heat until the vegetables become soft and bright green.
5. Combine and season

   Return the fried shrimp to the wok. Add light soy sauce, salt and a little sugar, toss evenly to blend flavors fully.
6. Serve

   Turn off heat, transfer to plate and serve hot immediately.

Cooking Tips

1. Stir-fry greens on high heat briefly to retain crisp texture.
2. Avoid overcooking shrimp to keep tender springy mouthfeel.
3. Light seasoning better highlights natural umami of seafood and vegetables.