The Fuss Free Fuzzy Melon & Beef Stir Fry

This is one of those days. I just had a crappy day at work and I need a fuss free yet satisfying dinner.

When I need something fuss free, I normally do something where I can combine both my protein and vegetable in one dish. I either throw anything into a pot and boil them with soy sauce, or a stir fry dish.

When I need to blow off some steam, I'd stick to something I am familiar with. I wouldn't even think of trying something new, cos I just can't cope with risk of failure. I don't wanna be jumping off the rooftop of Hong Kong high rise flat (sadly, many people did in Hong Kong, especially teenagers during the exam season) over burnt baked goods, mushy pasta, funky tasting stew or chewy pieces of steaks.

But why not do something sinful and decadent to make myself feel better?...cos my ASS is on the line *grin*

So, although I know exactly how good rich, dark, velvety chocolate cake; a huge pile of pasta with melted cheese on top; and a giant serving of fried chicken with salty fries would make me feel..(I think those treats can make almost anyone cancel their flat jumping plans)...

Summer is here, and I wanna be ready for the swimsuit portion of Miss Kowloon Peninsula & New Territories contest (the contest is happening in my household, and I am competing against imaginary slim and sleek, Hong Kong version of Barbie dolls, so I am bound to lose, but what the heck, I plan not to let them win so easily nonetheless)...so, no decadent treats for me, especially in an attempt to correct a bad day (a day this bad needs truckloads of treats)

So, I went with this:
Fuss Free Fuzzy Melon & Beef Stir Fry

Look at them...they look like a couple of cute fuzzy bears...

Peel the skin off with a normal peeler...and you'll get this:

It looks like a cucumber, or a mini winter melon, it tastes like a firmer and crunchier zucchini. It absorbs sauces very well and it does not endanger my already expanded waist line (go easy on the grease and sauce though)

Recipe
(serves 4)
- 2 medium sized fuzzy melon, peel skin off, slice into 3-5 mm thick pieces
- HK$30 (around 1 pound) of beef, sliced for stir frying
- 1 small clove of garlic
- around 5 cm of ginger, sliced and crushed
- light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, salt, pepper, sugar, shaoxing Chinese wine, corn starch

Marinate beef with light soy, dark soy, salt, pepper, sugar, shaoxing Chinese wine, and 1 tsp corn starch while preparing the other ingredients. Saute garlic and 1 slice of ginger, add fuzzy melon, stir until almost done, set aside. Using the same wok, add a little oil, saute the remaining of ginger, add beef, saute until almost done, add fuzzy melon pieces, mix well, add seasoning if necessary, add a bit of water if you want more sauce, cook until the fuzzy melon pieces are softened. Serve with steamed rice.

- Not fuss free enough? Skip marinating the beef, saute melons first, add the beef once the melon's almost softened, throw in all the sauces, make sure everything are cooked through

- Still not fuss free enough? Maybe we should go to McDonald's/KFC together

In case the dish failed to make me feel better, I might as well go for that chocolate, fries, chicken and pasta treat anyway. Scr*w my waistline! LOL

Sharing this with Weekend Herb Blogging Crowd, invented by Kalyn, hosted this week by Laurie.