Savory Sweet Corn & Bitter Melon Spring Rolls
These Savory Sweet Corn & Bitter Melon Spring Rolls are a delightful fusion that balances the unique taste of bitter melon with the sweetness of corn, creating a dish that even those wary of bitter flavors can enjoy. The crispy texture of spring roll wrappers combined with a light, flavorful filling makes these rolls an irresistible appetizer or light meal. Perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in, these rolls come together quickly and can be enjoyed fresh or fried. The vibrant colors and fresh ingredients will not only tantalize your taste buds but also impress your guests. Ideal for those looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet or anyone simply looking for a deliciously unique dish!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bitter melon
1 (Ends trimmed, halved, seed bed scraped out, sliced into thin 'smiles')
Onion
1 medium (Thinly sliced)
Sweet corn
1 (420 g) can (Drained (or equivalent of freshly cooked corn))
Olive oil
2-3 tablespoons (For sautéing)
Sesame oil
2 teaspoons (For sautéing)
Soy sauce
1 dash (To taste during cooking)
Spring roll wrappers
20 (at least) (For wrapping the filling)
Soy sauce
2 tablespoons (For dipping)
Instructions
1
Prepare your workspace by placing a large glass or metal dish on a heat-proof mat, along with an oiled plate for rolling and another final serving dish.
2
Begin by preparing the bitter melon: Cut off both ends, slice it in half lengthwise, and carefully scrape out the seed bed with a spoon to minimize bitterness. Slice the melon into very thin 'smiles'.
3
Next, thinly slice the onion and set it aside with the bitter melon. Be sure your sweet corn (canned or freshly cooked) is ready to use.
4
In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil and sesame oil over medium heat. Add the bitter melon and onion, cooking until the melon starts to soften and the onion is lightly browned. Stir occasionally, taking care not to burn. Add a dash or two of soy sauce to enhance the flavor.
5
Once the vegetables are softened, add the sweet corn to the pan and cook until warmed through and slightly caramelized, stirring continuously to prevent sticking.
6
Remove the pan from heat and allow the filling to cool slightly while you prepare the spring roll wrappers.
7
Boil water in the kettle again. Pour the boiling water into your designated round dish. Working one at a time, dip each spring roll wrapper in the hot water until pliable, using tongs to support it.
8
Gently lay the softened wrapper flat on your oiled plate. Spoon a tablespoonful of the filling into the center of the wrapper. Roll it up tightly according to package instructions, folding in the sides as you go to secure the filling.
9
Place the finished rolls seam side down on your final serving dish and repeat the process until all the filling is used.
10
If desired, refrigerate the rolls for a time according to the wrapper package directions, but they can be enjoyed fresh right away. Serve with soy sauce for dipping!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Sweet Corn & Bitter Melon Spring Rolls?
These spring rolls are a fusion dish that balances the unique, sharp taste of bitter melon with the natural sweetness of corn, wrapped in a crispy spring roll wrapper.
How do you reduce the bitterness of the melon?
To minimize bitterness, cut off both ends, slice the melon in half lengthwise, and carefully scrape out the seed bed with a spoon before slicing.
What shape should I slice the bitter melon into?
The recipe recommends slicing the bitter melon into very thin shapes resembling smiles.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, these spring rolls are vegetarian-friendly as they use vegetables like corn, onion, and bitter melon.
What ingredients are needed for the filling?
The filling consists of bitter melon, onion, canned or fresh sweet corn, olive oil, sesame oil, and a dash of soy sauce.
Can I use fresh corn instead of canned corn?
Yes, you can use the equivalent of one 420g can of freshly cooked corn.
What oils are used for sautéing?
A combination of 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 teaspoons of sesame oil is used for sautéing the vegetables.
How many spring roll wrappers should I prepare?
You should have at least 20 spring roll wrappers ready for the amount of filling provided.
How do I soften the spring roll wrappers?
Dip each wrapper one at a time into a dish of boiling water until it becomes pliable.
What should I use to handle the wrappers in hot water?
The recipe suggests using tongs to support the wrapper while dipping it into the hot water.
How much filling goes into each spring roll?
Place approximately one tablespoonful of the corn and melon filling into the center of each wrapper.
How do I roll the spring rolls correctly?
Roll the wrapper tightly according to the package instructions, folding in the sides as you go to secure the filling inside.
How should the rolls be placed on the serving dish?
The finished rolls should be placed seam side down on the serving dish.
Can these spring rolls be served immediately?
Yes, they can be enjoyed fresh right away, or refrigerated for a time according to the wrapper package directions.
What is the recommended dipping sauce?
The recipe recommends serving the rolls with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce for dipping.
How do I prepare the onion?
One medium onion should be thinly sliced before being sautéed with the bitter melon.
When do I add the soy sauce to the filling?
Add a dash or two of soy sauce while sautéing the bitter melon and onion to enhance the flavor.
What should the texture of the vegetables be after cooking?
The melon should be softened and the onions should be lightly browned.
Is it necessary to caramelize the corn?
Yes, you should cook the corn until it is warmed through and slightly caramelized for the best flavor.
How do I prevent the wrappers from sticking during rolling?
Lay the softened wrapper flat on an oiled plate to prevent it from sticking while you add the filling.
What is the total preparation count for ingredients?
There are 8 main ingredient items used in this recipe.
Can these rolls be fried?
Yes, the description mentions they can be enjoyed either fresh or fried.
How do I set up my workspace?
Place a large glass or metal dish on a heat-proof mat, prepare an oiled plate for rolling, and have a final serving dish ready.
What makes this dish unique?
The combination of the bitter melon's unique profile with the sweetness of corn creates a balanced fusion flavor.
Does the recipe include nutritional information like calories?
No, the specific caloric, fat, and carbohydrate counts are not provided in this recipe data.
Is this dish considered healthy?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as healthy and is ideal for those looking to incorporate more vegetables into their diet.
What type of cuisine is this?
This recipe is categorized under Asian cuisine.
How long should the filling cool?
The filling should be allowed to cool slightly after being removed from the heat before you begin the wrapping process.
What is the purpose of scraping the seed bed of the bitter melon?
Scraping out the seed bed is essential to minimize the intense bitterness of the melon.
How should I store the spring roll wrappers before use?
Keep them in their package until you are ready to dip them one by one into the hot water.