
Bitter Gourd
Bitter Gourd is my family’s favorite. Both my children like it very much, which is rare for most people. Bitter gourd is not necessarily bitter. If one knows the way of cooking it, bitter gourd is bittersweet instead of bitter. Stop adding refined sugar to make it bittersweet. The trick is to make sure you add bitter gourd to a boiling pot or hot pan. Also, the combination of bitter gourd with certain ingredients will enhance the bittersweetness of the gourd.
Bitter gourd is a rich source of antioxidants and polyphenol compounds with the ability to lower inflammation in the body. Some experts believe it also helps in lowering bad cholesterol levels, thus reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. It strengthens the immune system, improves respiratory health, boosts skin health, contains anti-ageing properties and improves metabolism.
BRAISED BITTER GOURD FISH HEAD
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 Fish Head
1 Thumb size ginger (sliced)
10 gm Clearspring Organic Atlantic Wakame - Dried Sea Vegetable
1/2 yellow onion (chunk)
1 small Bitter Gourd (sliced)
2 Tbsp Clearspring Organic Japanese Hatcho Miso Paste - Unpasteurised
1 Green Onion (sliced finely)
1 cup water
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Simply wash and soak the Clearspring Organic Atlantic Wakame in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes. Rinse and drain it.
2. Add 1 cup of water into a pot with the Clearspring Organic Atlantic Wakame and onion. Bring to boil.
3. Clean and dry the fish head. Pan fry/Air fry the fish until lightly brown.
4. Transfer the lightly browned fish over to the pot and simmer for 3 minutes. Add the sliced bitter gourd into the pot. Simmer for another 3 minutes.
5. Scope some broth out to mix with Clearspring Organic Japanese Hatcho Miso Paste in a bowl. Stir it back into the pot and turn off the fire. Garnish with green onion and it is ready to serve.
MADRAS CURRY VEGAN STUFFED BITTER GOURD
INGREDIENTS:
Stuffing
1 Bottle of Biona Organic Soya Beans (rinsed and drained)
2 small cloves garlic
6 shallots
1/4 Cup Amisa Organic Gluten Free Quinoa Flour
1 Tsp Simply Organic Coriander Seed Ground
1/2 Tsp Cumin
1 Tsp salt and black pepper
1 Tsp sesame oil
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Blend the Biona Organic Soya Beans, garlic and shallots in a food processor/blender.
2. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
INGREDIENTS:
1 medium size Bitter Gourd
1 Bottle Maya Kaimal Madras Curry Simmer Sauce
1 stalk of sweet Basil (Optional)
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Cut the bitter gourd into 1cm thick slices. Using a teaspoon to scrape out the seeds. Rub in salt, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse and dry the bitter gourd.
2. Stuff the bitter gourd with the stuffing.
3. Add some oil in the pan, pan fry the stuffed bitter gourd in medium fire until brown and sealed well on both sides of the bitter gourd (3-4 minutes each sides).
4. Can stir in the Maya Kaimal Madras Curry Simmer Sauce and simmer for another 5-10 minutes in medium fire with a lid on (depending on how soft you like your bitter gourd).
5. Garnish with sweet basil and ready to serve over rice, bread or pasta.
STIR FRY WAGYU BEEF BITTER GOURD WITH GNOCCHI
INGREDIENTS:
200gm sliced Wagyu Beef
4 Tbsp Biona Organic Sweet Soy Stir Fry Sauce
1 Bag Difatti Gluten Free Tomato Gnocchi
100gm Bitter gourd (cut into triangle)
1/2 yellow onion (triangle)
1/3 red bell pepper (triangle)
1/3 yellow bell pepper (triangle)
2 small cloves garlic (chopped)
2 small Biona Organic Gherkins (sliced)
1 Tbsp Kitchen & Love (Cucina & Amore) Grapeseed Oil
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Marinate the sliced beef with 2 Tbsp Biona Organic Sweet Soy Stir Fry Sauce for at least 1/2 hour.
2. Blanch the bitter gourd in boiling water (dash of salt & oil) for 2 minutes. Followed by blanching the Difatti Gluten Free Tomato Gnocchi for 2 minutes too.
3. Add 1 Tbsp oil into a hot frying pan/wok. Stir in the chopped garlic for 30 seconds. Stir the sliced beef in and cook for 1 minute and add the rest of the ingredients together with the 2 Tbsp of the Biona Organic Sweet Soy Stir Fry Sauce and cook it in high temperature for another 1-2 minutes.
4. Ready to serve as a main dish or a dish by itself for a light meal.
Note: The sweet soy sauce tenderizes the beef and makes the bitter gourd bittersweet. Pickled Gherkins make this dish addictive.
©️ 2021 Moon Chai