Sweet-and-Sour Celery

4 stalks celery

2 tablespoons oil for stir-frying

¼ teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Wash the celery and cut into 1-inch slices on the diagonal. Blanch by plunging into boiling water and boiling for 2–3 minutes.
2. Add oil to a preheated wok or skillet. When the oil is hot, begin stir-frying the celery. Add the salt.
3. Stir in the rice vinegar, sugar, and cinnamon. Remove the celery from the wok and pour any remaining sauce over.

Cutting Green Vegetables

Unless the instructions state differently, cut green vegetables like celery, bok choy spears, and green onions on the diagonal. This gives maximum heat exposure and ensures even cooking.

Bitter Melon Stir-fry

2 bitter melons

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons oil for stir-frying

1 clove garlic, chopped

2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

4 tablespoons water

1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry sherry

½ teaspoon brown sugar

1. Wash the bitter melons, cut in half, and remove the seeds inside the pods. Slice thinly on the diagonal.
2. To degorge the bitter melons, place the slices in a bowl and toss with salt. Leave for 15 minutes and place on paper towels to drain out excess water.
3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil the bitter melons for 3 minutes. Drain well.
4. Add oil to a preheated wok or skillet. Add the garlic and stir-fry briefly until aromatic. Add the bitter melon and stir-fry for 2–3 minutes. Add the hoisin sauce, water, rice wine, and brown sugar. Mix through and serve hot.

A Remarkable Melon

Bitter melon is one of those foods that people either love or hate. Native to China, it works best with pungent ingredients such as chilies and black bean sauce that can hold their own against its strong flavor. To reduce the bitterness, try degorging or steaming.