Winter squash is a common summer and autumn vegetable, rich in water, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Winter melon is beneficial to clear heat and relieve heat, diuresis and swelling, lower blood pressure and blood sugar, and can also beauty and beauty, weight loss and fitness. There are many ways to eat winter melon, which can be stir-fried, boiled, stewed, steamed and so on. Today, I'm going to teach you a homemade winter melon stewed shrimp stew. This is a very simple and delicious soup dish, simple ingredients, easy to prepare, sweet and light taste, rich in nutrition, not greasy, suitable for the whole family.
The main ingredients for winter melon stew are winter melon and dried shrimp. Winter melon should be fresh, without cracks or softening. Winter melon should be washed, peeled, seeded, and cut into large pieces. Shrimp should be clean, without impurities or odor. Soak the dried shrimp in warm water, remove the shrimp line and shrimp shell, and drain the water. Shrimp is a kind of high-protein and low-fat seafood, rich in calcium, iron, zinc and other trace elements and amino acids. Shrimp can increase the umami and aroma of soup dishes, and can also supplement the nutrients needed by the human body.
Other ingredients for shrimp stew with winter melon are as follows:
- Ginger: Ginger is a common seasoning. Ginger can increase the aroma and temperature of soup dishes, and can also remove the fishy smell and coldness of winter melon and shrimp.
- Salt: Salt is a basic seasoning. Salt can increase the saltiness and taste of soups, and can also regulate fluid balance and nerve conduction.
- Oil: Oil is an essential cooking material. Oils can add smoothness and shine to soup dishes, and can also provide energy and fat-soluble vitamins.
- Water: Water is an essential cooking ingredient. Water can increase the amount and thinness of soup dishes, and can also help ingredients release nutrients and flavor.
The method of stewing shrimp with winter melon is as follows:
- Prepare all the ingredients. Wash the winter melon, peel and remove the seeds, cut it into large pieces and set aside on a plate. Soak the dried shrimp in warm water, remove the shrimp and shell, drain and set aside in a bowl. Peel and slice the ginger and set aside in a bowl.
- Pan-fry dried shrimp. Pour the oil into the pan and heat it over high heat. When the oil temperature reaches 7 to hot, put the dried shrimp in a pan and fry until fragrant. Use a spatula to constantly turn the shrimp so that they are evenly heated. When the shrimp becomes golden brown and crispy, you can drain the oil and set it on a plate for later use.
- Stewed winter melon. Pour part of the oil out of the pan, leaving a little base oil. Turn on high heat and fry the ginger slices in a pot until fragrant. Then put the winter melon chunks in the pan and stir-fry a few times to let them get the aroma of oil and ginger. Then pour the water into the pot without the winter melon cubes. Cover, turn on high heat and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until the winter melon is soft and transparent.
- Season and out of pan. Put the salt in the pan and stir well to adjust the saltiness. Then put the dried shrimp back in the pot and simmer for another 5 minutes to allow the umami of the shrimp to penetrate into the soup and winter melon. Finally, sprinkle some chopped green onion or coriander to add color and aroma. Put the winter melon stew and dried shrimp in a bowl and enjoy.
Tips for stewed shrimp with winter melon:
- Winter melon should be cut into large pieces so that it is easier to stew and taste.
- The oil temperature of fried shrimp should be well controlled, not too high or too low. Too high will make the shrimp bitter, too low will make the shrimp soft.
- The amount of water in the stewed winter melon should be appropriate, not too much and not too little. Too much will make the soup light and tasteless, and too little will make the winter melon dry and hard.
- The amount of salt can be adjusted according to personal taste, you can add more salt if you like it saltier, and you can add less salt if you like lighter.
- Shrimp stew with winter melon can be eaten as a soup or staple dish, or served with rice or noodles.