Char Swee (MFF Penang)


This vegetable dish comes from Nonya Flavours (A Complete Guide to Penang Straits Chinese Cooking). I was very attracted to the vibrant colors. Besides, Stir-Fried Cucumber in Vinegar sounds interesting. 


It is a little bit like acar (pickled vegetables) but not quiet. The vegetables are stir fried in a sweet sour gravy mix and served immediately.


I quiet like this dish as it is light and the sweet sourish taste is quiet appetizing. However, I should adjust the flavors of the gravy mix to make it be more intense and thicker because the cucumbers released quiet a bit of water and diluted the gravy. 


I like the way the cucumbers are peeled alternately to create a nice pattern. I cooked this dish more than a month ago and forgot all about it until I saw Kimmy's version. Thanks for the reminder, Kimmy!










Char Swee (Stir Fried Cucumber in Vinegar)
Recipe source : Nonya Flavours (page 92)

Ingredients :
- 200g medium-sized prawns
- 2 tsp sugar
- 200g (1 medium sized) cucumber
- 80g (1 big) onion
- 20g (1) red chili
- 15g (1) green chili
- 60g (1 small) carrot

- 2 tsp oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced

Gravy (Mix together)
- 100ml water
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tsp Chinese plum sauce
- 1 tsp cornflour
-1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper

Method :
1. Shell prawns, retaining the shells. Season with sugar and leave to marinate while preparing the rest of the ingredients but rinse off the sugar before cooking.
2. Run a peeler along the length of the cucumber and leave some space in between each peel to retain some skin for color variety.
3. Split the cucumber into two long halves . Use a spoon to scoop out the core, and slice diagonally to 0.5cm thickness.
4. Cut the onion into 6 segments.
5. Split the chilli into two halves, remove seeds and slice diagonally.
6. Peel carrot, halve it and slice diagonally.
7. Heat oil in wok and saute garlic until fragrant.
8. Add the prawns and stir fry until prawns are.cooked
9. Add cucumber and carrots and stir fry for a minute before pouring in the gravy ingredients. Stir until gravy thicken and boils.
10. Toss in onions and red and green chillies. Stir fry to mix well.
11. Adjust seasoning to taste before dishing out.



I am submitting this post to Malaysian Food Fest Penang Month hosted by Alan of Travellingfoodies.

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