Bittergourd Bitter Melon Stir Fried with Chinese Roast Pork Traditional Cuisine | BIG Bites MY

Bittergourd Bitter Melon Stir Fried with Chinese Roast Pork

This traditional dish is simple to whip up whenever there is leftover roast pork at home. Prepping time may be a bit longer but this is not a complicated recipe. SO EASY LAH! The recipe shown here feeds one to two; just double up accordingly if you are cooking for more. A bowl of hot rice and this dish - SO SATISFYING!

Watch video for step-by-step method of preparation

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Prep time: 20 minutes + 1 hour (curing time) 

Cooking time: 25 minutes 

Serving: 1 to 2 (increase portions accordingly if you are cooking for more)

Ingredients:

• Part 1
• 1/2 bittergourd (small size)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1000ml water
• 120g roast pork
• 1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons (45ml) water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon groundnut oil
• 1 Thai chili

Method:

1. Part 1:
• Split bittergourd into halves. Remove the core and scrape away the pith.
• Slice bittergourd (About 3mm thick)
• Add salt and rub to coat bittergourd slices. Set aside for an hour or two to sweat (to draw out the bitter juices).
• After sweating for an hour or two, discard the liquid collected inside the basin
• Soak the bittergourd slices in water for 10 minutes to wash off the salt
• Bring 1000ml of water to a boil and blanch bittergourd slices for 1 minute. Drain and set aside.
2. Cut Thai chili into 5mm lengths (Remove chili seeds if you prefer it less spicy)
3. Cut roast pork into bite-size cubes
4. Heat up half of the 1 tablespoon of groundnut oil over MEDIUM LOW heat. (Keep the remaining oil for later).
5. Add roast pork (skin side down). Fry to crisp up the skin. When the roast pork skin has crisped up, remove it and set aside.
6. Add the remaining groundnut oil to the pan. Add minced garlic and sauté until aromatic over MEDIUM LOW heat.
7. Add bittergourd slices and sauté until fragrant
8. Add soy sauce and water. Stir to combine and simmer for a few minutes.
9. Add dark soy sauce, sugar and roast pork. Stir to combine.
10. Add Thai chili and stir fry for another minute. Taste and flavor to your liking.
11. Pierce the bittergourd slices to see if they have softened. The dish is ready when the bittergourd slices are soft.
12. Garnish with some spring onion curls before serving