Stir-Fried Bitter Melon with Chicken Wings

A unique combination of bitter melon and chicken wings, this is a popular dish in Hmong cuisine.

  • Serves

    serves 4

Ingredients

  • 2 chinese bitter melons (about 1 lb. total)
  • 5 Tbsp. peanut oil
  • 6 whole chicken wings (each cut into 4 pieces)
  • Salt

Instructions

Step 1

Trim the ends off of melons and halve each lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out and discard the seeds and spongy insides. Cut each bitter melon half into 1⁄3"-thick slices on the bias and transfer to a large bowl. Cover with water and swish the slices around with your hands until the water is cloudy; drain well and set aside.

Step 2

Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Add chicken wings and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Carefully add bitter melon and salt to taste and stir-fry until crisp-tender, 3–4 minutes more. Transfer to a large platter and serve hot.
  1. Trim the ends off of melons and halve each lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out and discard the seeds and spongy insides. Cut each bitter melon half into 1⁄3"-thick slices on the bias and transfer to a large bowl. Cover with water and swish the slices around with your hands until the water is cloudy; drain well and set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Add chicken wings and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Carefully add bitter melon and salt to taste and stir-fry until crisp-tender, 3–4 minutes more. Transfer to a large platter and serve hot.
Recipes

Stir-Fried Bitter Melon with Chicken Wings

  • Serves

    serves 4

SAVEUR Recipe

A unique combination of bitter melon and chicken wings, this is a popular dish in Hmong cuisine.

Ingredients

  • 2 chinese bitter melons (about 1 lb. total)
  • 5 Tbsp. peanut oil
  • 6 whole chicken wings (each cut into 4 pieces)
  • Salt

Instructions

Step 1

Trim the ends off of melons and halve each lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out and discard the seeds and spongy insides. Cut each bitter melon half into 1⁄3"-thick slices on the bias and transfer to a large bowl. Cover with water and swish the slices around with your hands until the water is cloudy; drain well and set aside.

Step 2

Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Add chicken wings and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Carefully add bitter melon and salt to taste and stir-fry until crisp-tender, 3–4 minutes more. Transfer to a large platter and serve hot.
  1. Trim the ends off of melons and halve each lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out and discard the seeds and spongy insides. Cut each bitter melon half into 1⁄3"-thick slices on the bias and transfer to a large bowl. Cover with water and swish the slices around with your hands until the water is cloudy; drain well and set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Add chicken wings and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Carefully add bitter melon and salt to taste and stir-fry until crisp-tender, 3–4 minutes more. Transfer to a large platter and serve hot.

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