Unlike common western palate most Asians prefer vegetable with dark green and less than tender leaves. Most of these have a hint of bitterness and typically more chewy, or more fibrous. For vegetable that is bitter,
bitter melon has to be one that is most unpalatable to those unaccustomed to Asian vegetable. To be honest I have not eaten bitter melon that many times. Bitter melon is believed to be one of the most healthy vegetable (ok, it is really a gourd) and some believes it deters or retards cancer growth.
I cannot tell you how many times over the years I bought one but always failed to cook with it and only to see it turned moldy. This time is different. I made a point of cooking with it the same day I came home with one. I stuff it with minced pork.
hollow out the seeds and the stuff at the center with a thai SS spoon
i added some sun dried shrimps for texture and flavor
a bit of thai chilli for heat and thai basil for fragrance
a few dash of thai fish sauce and small pinch of sugar for seasoning
stuffing is as easy as pie
and yes, the bitter melon flesh is truly bitter - just keep telling yourself it detox your body
while the gourd is bitter it tastes clean and light and gives a very sharp contrast to the rich minced pork
There are many ways to prepare bitter melon. It works very well for stir fry with pork.
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