Be honest. Have heard of bitter melon (Chinese) before? If yes, how many of you like bitter melon?
We love it! It's healthy and good for you. We also find it less bitter than the Indian bitter melon (or karela).
There are so many ways to enjoy bitter gourd; you can stir fry it, stuff it, or even make a chutney with it. How do you enjoy bitter melon?
I didn't know there were different types of bitter melon until my mother-in-law gave me a tour of her garden. She has the magic touch and patience to grow them.
I tried growing them this year, but mine only grew to the size of a potato. While hers can grow up to 8 or 9 inches in length.
I'm still a novice, but I'll get there someday. For now, I get all my bitter gourds from her and make yummy dishes. Don't forget to check out the Bitter Melon and Potato Stir Fry recipe below:
Ingredients
- 1 large Chinese bitter melon
- 1 small potato, peeled and chopped into 1/2" slices
- 1 small to medium onion, coarsely chopped
- 3/4 tsp dry garlic chutney
- salt (as per your taste)
- Fresh cilantro/coriander (optional), chopped (for garnish)
Preparation
1) Chop the bitter melon once lengthwise and then into 1/4" thick slices (as shown below).
Place the bitter gourd pieces in a bowl, sprinkle a little bit of salt and water over them, and microwave for 2 minutes.
2) Heat oil (on medium flame) in a medium saucepan and add onion and potato. Sprinkle a little bit of salt and stir fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
3) Then, add bitter melon, and cover with a lid. (Note: Add more oil if necessary; to prevent the mixture from burning). Stir every few minutes until onions, potatoes, and bitter melon are caramelized for about 8 to 10 minutes. Next, add dry garlic chutney powder and continue to stir fry for another 3 to 4 minutes.
- We like using dry garlic chutney in our curries (i.e. Stuffed Eggplant) to make them spicy. I also like sprinkling it over avocado toast. It gives it a little kick, just the way I like it. This product is also available on Amazon*. Click on the image for the link.
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