Seriously Ethnic Eats Monday - Bitter Melon

Changed the Name from Good Eats Monday because...

The Secret Ingredient is Bitter Melon.

This is Not for the faint of heart.  It's Bitter!

Every Chinese (Asian) family has its own recipe for making it less bitter.  The truth is, no matter what you do...it's bitter...it's supposed to be.

It's Definitely an acquired taste; If you choose to?!

As children, no kids would touch the stuff.  Now that we are adults, for whatever strange reason, occasionally, we would crave it.  Crazy Hah!  For those who might just be a little curious.  Here it is.

Bitter Melon with Black Bean Sauce

Ingredients:

2 bitter melons, preferable light green, yellow or whiter in color

Ground Pork Mixture: Stir Fry and set aside

1/2 teaspoon ginger, minced

3 ounces ground pork

1 tsp rice wine

1/2 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp corn starch

1 tbsp of water

1 tbsp of oil for stir frying

Stir Frying the Bitter Melons:

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp minced ginger

1 tablespoons black beans garlic sauce

Asian chili sauce to taste (optional)

1 tbsp sugar

2 tablespoons oil, for stir-frying

Sesame oil to taste

Preparation:

To prepare the bitter melon, cut in half lengthwise, remove the seeds and cut into ¼ inch thin slices. Place into colander, sprinkle salt over the slices, wait for 15 minutes. Then Raise and drain.  (This is where Nerdy Hubby and I disagreed.  His family usually add the next step of blanching the bitter melon and dunking in ice-water, before stir frying. Feel free to try it either way and decide for yourself.)

Heat wok over medium high heat and add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is hot, add the minced garlic, ginger and black bean sauce (chili). Stir-fry briefly until aromatic (about 30 seconds).

Add the bitter melon. Stir-fry for about 3 minutes, stir in the sugar. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, until the bitter melon is browning and beginning to soften. Add in the prepared ground pork. Stir in a few drops sesame oil if desired. Serve hot.

This Is At Least Educational (chuckle...chuckle)!