Welcome to Day 4 of Cooking 20 Minute Dinner for 21 Days! Today we are making a Classic Taiwanese healthy & delicious homecooked meal – Steamed Clams and Winter Melon. It only requires FIVE ingredients and will warm you up inside and out. No liquid is added, so all the broth is from the sweetness of the clams. Steamed Clams and Winter Melon are perfect for those on a keto diet or gluten-free since they are low in carbs and sodium.
Winter Melon has many health benefits since it is high fiber, high antioxidants, high water content, and low calories. My mom used to make Steamed Clams and Winter Melon for me whenever I felt bloated or had stomach pain. It always helped smooth my bloating and helped with digestion. It is easy to prepare and takes little time to cook. I love pairing winter melon with clams since it adds a hint of sweetness and saltiness while still keeping the dish light and refreshing. No salt is needed in this dish but trusts me; the umami flavors will be bursting!
Steamed Clams and Winter Melon is a traditional Taiwanese dish that I ate growing up. I was surprised when I found out how simple and quick it is to make. One of my resolutions for TIFFYCOOKS is to share more traditional dishes that I grew up eating. When people think of Taiwanese food, they think of Beef Noodle Soup, Popcorn Chicken, and Bubble Tea. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE LOVE LOVE all those dishes, but I want to share more of my culture with you and hopefully bring a little bit of home for those that live far away and are missing Taiwan right now.
Pro Tip: Optional but HIGHLY recommended, I soak my clams in water for 30 – 60 minutes before cooking to remove any sand or grit. I recommend using fresh clams for this dish instead of frozen. If you don’t eat seafood, don’t worry, I have more winter melon recipes to come.
Ingredients (Serves 2-3)
1 slice of Winter Melon (1.5 lb)
1.5 lb of clean Clams
3 inch of thinly sliced Ginger
1 tbsp of Chinese Cooking Wine (Optional)
1 tsp of White Pepper
- Prepare the Winter Melon by removing all the skin and seeds. Cut the winter melon into 1-inch pieces.
- In a pan, add in winter melon and place clams on top. Drizzle 1 tbsp of Chinese Cooking Wine, a dash of white pepper, and add sliced ginger all over the clams. Put the lid on and turn the heat up to medium-high. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until clams are open and melon is soft.
- Garnish with cilantro, and enjoy!
