Tumis Bunga dan Daun Pepaya (Stir-Fried Papaya Flowers & Leaves)

🛒 Ingredients

• #Main Ingredients;
• 200 g papaya flowers — pistil removed, rinsed well
• 150 g young papaya leaves — tender top leaves only, roughly torn
• 4 cloves garlic — thinly sliced.. 4 shallots — thinly sliced
• 2–3 fresh red chillies — sliced diagonally (adjust to taste)
• 2 fresh green chillies — optional.. 3 tbsp neutral cooking oil
• #Seasoning;
• 1 tbsp soy sauce,, ½ tsp sea salt — adjust to taste,, ½ tsp ground white pepper
• ½ tsp coconut sugar or cane sugar — to balance bitterness
• 2–3 tbsp water — optional
• #To reduce bitterness (highly recommended);
• 1 tsp salt.. Boiling water — for blanching

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Prep & reduce bitterness: Discard the central pistil from papaya flowers. Wash flowers and leaves thoroughly. Bring water to a boil, add salt. Blanch flowers and leaves for 2–3 minutes, then drain, squeeze firmly to remove bitter water. Rinse once more and squeeze dry — this step softens the bitterness significantly.

2. 2

   Sauté aromatics: Heat oil in a wok or pan over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots, stir-fry 1–2 minutes until fragrant and soft. Add chillies and toss briefly.

3. 3

   Stir-fry quickly: Turn heat to high. Add papaya flowers and leaves. Stir-fry rapidly for 3–4 minutes until tender and evenly heated through.

4. 4

   Season: Drizzle with soy sauce, salt, pepper, and sugar. Add a splash of water if too dry. Toss thoroughly for 1–2 minutes until flavours are well absorbed and balanced.

5. 5

   Serve: Taste and adjust salt or sweetness. Serve hot immediately with steamed rice!