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I am not a fan of bitter melon or bitter gourd (苦瓜) as they are really bitter. In Chinese belief, any bitter vegetables or herbs are good for your health just like medicines are bitter but they heal your sickness (苦口良葯). The bitter melon is a healthy and beneficial vegetable, it is considered cool temperature in nature that will help to stimulate digestion and cool your internal body heat. Sometimes I like to stir fry it with chicken or pork meat as one of the “cooling” dishes.

I once tried this Stir Fried Bitter Gourd with Salted Egg in a small local Chinese restaurant and I was amazed how it turned out really delicious. The bitter gourd is not bitter after it is coated well with salted egg that made it so fragrant and tasty. If you don’t like bitter gourd you can try to soak the slices in salted water or even blanch them quickly before cooking, but not too long as it will get old.

For this recipe, I actually used the cooked salted duck egg for a quick and easy serving. You can also use raw salted egg to cook as an omelet style, just mix in the beaten egg after you stir fry the bitter gourd. So this is up to you. I accidentally overcooked this dish that’s why it turned out a bit too brown (so watch your fire). You don’t want to overcook the bitter gourds as mine, so they can stay green and crisp. Enjoy a simple dish.

Ingredients:

1 medium sized bitter gourd (halved, seed discarded, cut into slices, soaked in salted water)
1 salted egg (cut into half and scope up the egg, mashed into smaller pieces)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp cooking oil

Cooking Method:

1. Soak the bitter gourd slices with salted water for 15 minutes. Mashed the cooked salted egg until no big crumbs.
2. Heat up pan with some oil over medium. Add garlic and stir fry till golden.
3. Add in mashed salted egg, stir fry quickly till egg turns foamy and fragrant.
4. Add in bitter gourd slices and stir fry with salted egg until well combined.
5. Add in some water and stir fry bitter gourd until soft and water almost dries up.
6. Dish up and serve.