Diced beef and winter melon in light gravy on rice
Cubes of winter melon simmered until they soak up the juices of seared diced beef, finished in a light gravy over rice — clean-tasting, gentle and never heavy.
- 30 min
- Serves 2
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: Phlegm-damp types feel heavy, puff up easily and have a thick tongue coating, and although Bailu turns drier, Hong Kong is still humid. Winter melon drains water and damp, beef strengthens the spleen so it can move damp, and tangerine peel regulates qi and resolves phlegm. A light, low-oil gravy keeps it clean-tasting, so you won't feel weighed down afterwards.
Method
Prep 15 min · Cook 15 min- 1Dice the beef and mix with the soy sauce and 1 tsp of the cornflour; leave for 10 minutes. Peel and deseed the winter melon and cut into 1.5 cm cubes. Soak the tangerine peel and shred it.
- 2Heat the oil, fry the ginger and garlic until fragrant, then stir-fry the beef over a high heat until it changes colour and lift out.
- 3Add the winter melon and tangerine peel and stir-fry for 1 minute. Pour in the water, bring to the boil and simmer over a medium heat for 8 minutes until the melon turns translucent.
- 4Return the beef and season with salt. Mix the remaining cornflour with a little water, stir in to thicken lightly, scatter with spring onion and spoon over the rice.
Cautions
- Winter melon is cooling, so add an extra slice or two of ginger if your digestion is weak or you get loose stools.
Chef's tips
- Don't cut the melon too small and stop once it turns translucent or it will fall apart; lift the beef out as soon as it changes colour and return it at the end so it stays tender.
The TCM view
Winter melon is sweet, bland and slightly cold, draining water, dispersing phlegm and clearing heat. Beef is sweet and neutral, entering the spleen and stomach — the Mingyi Bielu says it 'calms the middle, boosts qi and nourishes the spleen and stomach'. Tangerine peel regulates qi, dries damp and resolves phlegm; ginger warms the middle and tempers the melon's coolness.
