Cherry & Dennis Recipes
Hairy Gourd with Vermicelli and Dried Shrimp
節瓜粉絲蝦米
Recipe overview
Hairy Gourd with Vermicelli and Dried Shrimp is a light Hong Kong home-style dish. The hairy gourd becomes soft and naturally sweet, the vermicelli absorbs the sauce, and dried shrimp adds savoury flavour. It is not too oily and is suitable for children and elderly people. New helpers should remember to soak the vermicelli first, rinse and soak the dried shrimp, and avoid cutting the hairy gourd too thin or it may become too soft after cooking.
01
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium hairy gourds
- 1 small pack vermicelli
- 2 tablespoons dried shrimp
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 slices ginger, optional
- 1 spring onion, optional
- 250ml water
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon oyster sauce, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- A little salt, add only after tasting at the end
- A little white pepper, optional
02
Tools
- 1 chopping board
- 1 kitchen knife
- 1 large bowl
- 2 small bowls
- 1 colander
- 1 frying pan or nonstick wok
- 1 spatula
- 1 white deep serving plate
03
Steps
Step 1
Prepare the Ingredients
Prepare the hairy gourd, vermicelli, dried shrimp, garlic, ginger slices and seasonings first. The vermicelli and dried shrimp need to be prepared in advance.
Step 2
Soak Vermicelli
Put the vermicelli in clean water and soak for about 10 minutes until soft. Drain it after soaking. Cutting it a little shorter makes it easier to eat.
Step 3
Rinse Dried Shrimp
Rinse the dried shrimp with clean water, then soak for 5 to 10 minutes. If the soaking water is clean, you can keep a little for cooking.
Step 4
Peel Hairy Gourd
Wash the hairy gourd, then gently remove the skin and rough hairs with a knife or peeler.
Step 5
Cut Hairy Gourd
Cut the hairy gourd into thick slices or half-moon pieces. Do not cut it too thin, or it may become too soft after cooking.
Step 6
Prepare Garlic and Ginger
Smash or chop the garlic and slice the ginger. These add fragrance to the dish.
Step 7
Fry Dried Shrimp
Turn on medium heat. When the wok is hot, add oil, then add garlic, ginger and dried shrimp. Stir-fry until fragrant.
Step 8
Add Hairy Gourd
Add the hairy gourd and stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes so it absorbs the dried shrimp flavour.
Step 9
Braise with Water
Add about 250ml water or a little dried-shrimp soaking water. Cover and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes.
Step 10
Add Vermicelli
When the hairy gourd starts to soften, add the vermicelli and gently mix so it absorbs the sauce.
Step 11
Season and Reduce
Add light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar and white pepper. Cook until the vermicelli turns translucent and the sauce reduces slightly. Taste at the end and add a little salt only if needed.
Step 12
Serve
When the hairy gourd is soft but not mushy and the vermicelli is cooked, serve on a plate. Sprinkle spring onion if desired.
Common mistakes
- The vermicelli is not soaked first, so it absorbs too much water and cooks unevenly.
- The hairy gourd is cut too thin and becomes mushy after cooking.
- The dried shrimp is not rinsed and may contain sand or be too salty.
- There is too little water, so the vermicelli dries before it is cooked.
- There is too much water and the dish becomes like soup.
- Salt is added too early, but dried shrimp and oyster sauce are already salty.
Tips
The most important part of this dish is preparing the vermicelli and dried shrimp first. Soak the vermicelli, and rinse and soak the dried shrimp briefly. Do not season too strongly because dried shrimp is already savoury and salty. When cooking it for your employer's family for the first time, use less salt first, then ask Ma'am or Sir to taste and adjust at the end.
