Stuffed Bitter Gourd with minced meat

Today I decided to do minced meat stuffed bitter gourd rings. When I was young I avoided all sorts of vegetables n eating bitter gourd - no way!

I was introduced to eating bitter gourd through my hubby who loves bitter gourd soup.

Anyway today I am trying out a recipe from this link

https://denisefoodblog.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/my-favorite-bitter-melon-recipe-bitter-melon-stuffed-with-ground-pork-garlic-and-bean-sauce/

I don't know if my bean sauce is the same as the author's. 

Recipe 

One bitter gourd washed n cut into 8 sections (about 400gm) I discarded the ends 

Minced pork about 200gm 

Pork marinade 

Kikkoman soy sauce 1 & 1/2 tsp

Fine sugar 1/2 tsp

Pepper sprinkle

Corn starch 2 tbsp

Gravy 

A little oil

2 pcs garlic crushed 

1 tbsp black bean sauce

1/3 cup water ( I increased to 1/2 cup)

Sprinkle of sugar

Method

Heat some  oil in a pan

Place the bitter gourd on pan n fry at high heat

Then turn down to medium heat n fry till bitter gourd colour turn a bit brown

Flip over n cook the same way 

Remove onto plate 

Add more oil n fry garlic n the bean paste together. Stir quickly.

Add in the bitter gourd again, add the water n sprinkle some sugar n let the water boil.

Cover the pan and cook further. 

This will help the bitter gourd to soften n ensure the minced meat is cooked .

Dish up n plate n pour the gravy over the bitter gourds.

I'm quite pleased with minced meat taste. 

The gravy wasn't salty as I was quite scared when using the bean paste.

The bitter gourds was still not as soft as I wanted them so I think I can let them cook longer when covered the next round. 

The bitter gourd n minced meat

Cut n use a small spoon to remove the seeds 

Put the minced meat in

I used this brand of bean paste 

Cooking with bean paste 

Cross section 

Enjoy them with rice! Happy cooking!