bitter melon w/ fried fish (ginisang ampalaya at pritong isda)

I love vegetables and ampalaya (bitter melon) is one of my favorite. Some people dislike it because of bitter taste. But if you try to research about it, ampalaya is full packed of vitamins and nutrients. It has scientific reports to lower blood sugar. Very beneficial for diabetics.

Let me share with you a simple recipe using ampalaya. And for vegetarians, you can skip the fish and stick to button mushrooms for meaty flavor :)

Ingredients

2 bitter melon (cut into halves and strips)

3 cloves garlic (crushed)

1 big onion (chopped)

thumb size ginger (crushed or strips)

2 fried fish (whole, halves or fillet)

2 medium tomatoes (chopped)

half cup mushroom - button or black mushrooms (presoaked and cut into strips)

1 Tbsp Oil

salt and pepper to taste

2 Tbsp fish sauce (optional)

1 cup of vegetable broth or water.

Procedure

Heat oil in a wok and saute garlic, onion, ginger and tomato for 2 minutes.

Add the mushroom and stir for a minute.

Add the broth or water, bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper and fish sauce.

Add the fried fish, then the amplaya, cover and simmer for 3 minutes.

Ready to serve with rice.