Indo-Chinese Bitter Melon and Egg Stir Fry

I'm a big fan of bitter melon? Can you tell? It's an acquired taste, but it's really good for you. Bitter melon is high in Vitamins A and C. There are 2 types of bitter melon - Chinese and Indian. I'm more familiar with the bitter melon from India which is called Karela. Karela is more narrow and has jagged spikes on the rind and pointed ends. 

On the other hand, the Chinese variety is long, pale green, and covered in bumps. The Chinese bitter melon pictured below was grown in my container garden. 

Homegrown Chinese Bitter Melon

I didn't know about the Chinese bitter melon until my mother-in-law gave me a few of them from her garden. She has a magic thumb when it comes to growing vegetables. Check out my Instagram post to see how big hers are compared to mine. I'm so jealous. 

We recently went over to my in-law's place for dinner and my mother-in-law served this Chinese dish made with bitter melon and eggs. Typically she stir-fries the bitter melon with meat. I think she made it with eggs because she knew I was coming.  I liked it so much that I decided to re-create it at home with Indian flare. Check out my recipe below and let me know if you try it. 

Ingredients

• About 11.5 oz Chinese bitter melon (remove seeds, slice, and chop into 1" pieces)
• 1-2 tsp Dry Garlic Chutney (depending on your spice level)
• 2 eggs, whisked and seasoned with salt and pepper
• Salt as per taste
• Crushed black pepper, as per taste
• 1.5 Tbsp. Vegetable oil for frying
• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Procedure

1) Heat oil in a medium-sized sauté pan, and when you feel the heat on your palm, add the bitter melon and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover and cook on low-medium heat for about 10 minutes.

2) Remove the lid and test by breaking a piece with the spatula. If it breaks, the melon is cooked. If it doesn't, cook for another 5 minutes. Adjust the heat to make sure you don't burn the vegetable.  (Note: once the bitter melon is cooked, it will turn dull green. 

3) Once the bitter melon is cooked, remove it from the pan and aside in a bowl. Add half a tablespoon of oil to the hot pan and then add the whisked eggs. Keep mixing the eggs, until they become scrambled and lightly toasted. 

4) Next add the cooked bitter melon back to the pan. Add the dry garlic chutney powder and mix well.  Taste and adjust salt. Garnish with fresh cilantro. 

 The Bitter melon and egg stir fry is ready to be served and enjoyed with quinoa, rice, or roti.  

If you like Chinese bitter melon as much as I do check out the recipes below:

Chinese Bitter melon and potato stir fry, Chinese Bitter melon Chutney

And if you crave more bitter vegetables, check out the Indian bitter melon recipes below:

Creamy Tofu and Karela Curry, Karela Curry, Stuffed and Stir Fried Karela

Quick and Easy Chinese Bitter Melon Chutney

This summer, we've been pampered with all the vegetables my friend's mom has been giving me from her garden. Every time I visit, she gives oodles of Chinese bitter melon, Asian melon, and peppers. She gave us so many that we've been making all sorts of dishes with them including the Chinese Bitter Melon Stir Fry I posted a few weeks back. 

This time we let the bitter melon ripen to yellowish color and use them to make chutney to eat with rice. WE LOVE RICE!!

Below is the recipe for this Chinese Bitter Melon Chutney. Check it out and let us know what you think. 

Ingredients

- 2 large and ripe Chinese Karela or Chinese Bitter melon, chopped

- 1 medium onion, chopped

- 3 to 4 garlic cloves, sliced

- 2 Tbsp chutney powder

- 2 Tbsp dry coconut powder

- 1 tsp tamarind paste (or walnut size of tamarind, soaked in water)

- 1 to 1-1/2 Tbsp brown sugar

- 1 tsp salt (or as per your taste)

- 1 to 1-1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil

Procedure

Heat oil in a medium saucepan and saute onions and garlic for 2 minutes until onions are translucent. Then add the bitter melon and salt, saute for an additional 5 to 6 minutes or until the bitter melon is cooked. Allow it to cool. In a blender, add the sauteed bitter melon, and the remaining ingredients and grind to smooth consistency. Adjust the salt as per your taste.

The Chinese Bitter Melon Chutney is ready to be enjoyed with your favorite rice or roti. Bona Appetit!!

Hope you enjoyed our Bitter Melon recipes. Check out our recipes page for more delightful and easy dish ideas. How do you enjoy this not so bitter and healthy vegetable? Feel free to share.