Recipe: Stir-fried bitter melon and egg (kho qua xao trung)
Bitter melon is another thing that you either love or hate. Among my friends and relatives who have tried bitter melon, 42 percent(*) find it too bitter to try a second time. My mom is a special case. She used to shun it, then little me got a bad fever and had to eat it to help lowering my temperature (bitter melon has medicinal effects), mom was so worried that I wouldn’t eat it (like every toddler, I didn’t like food), but I chowed it down at first try, mom got curious, tried and started liking it too. That’s the story she told me, but I think she started liking it because she started making it, and everything she makes tastes great.
Even in the Bay Area, bitter melon is somewhat rare and expensive. The only restaurant I know of that has bitter melon is China Village on Solano, and a plate costs 10.95 with 70% egg and 30% bitter melon. Sushi California used to have it as an Okinawan specialty but had to cut it due to low demand. 🙁 Chinese and Vietnamese markets have them, but they can be far. Thankfully, today Berkeley Bowl has a small box of maybe 40 counts, so I grabbed a few.
Stir-fried bitter melon with eggs (in Vietnamese: Khổ qua xào trứng)
INGREDIENTS (8 servings):
– 5 bitter melons (less green ones with fat stripes, i.e., the East Asian variety, are much less bitter than the skinny ridged subcontinent counterpart)
– 5 eggs (or however many you like)
– 12 cloves of garlic (I just happen to like garlic a lot)
– Salt
– 1/3 cups of olive oil
PREPARATION:
– Wash the bitter melons, cut off both ends of each fruit.
– Cut each fruit length-wise in half.
– Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds (along with the fluffy white part). Redder seeds mean riper and less bitter melons. The red film outside the seeds are edible (I’ve eaten them while prepping the melons), but their mildly sweet taste is not much to talk to about.
– Slice each half into crescents of ~ 3-4 mm (1/8 inch) thick
– Soak the slices in water (with a bit of salt) for ~ 30 minutes to partially remove the bitterness.
– Peel and slice garlic, set aside.
COOKING:
– Put oil in a skillet, medium heat, wait for oil to get hot and throw in the garlic to brown.
– Drain and add the bitter melon into the skillet.
– Lightly mix so that the melon slices at the bottom don’t just sit in oil while the top ones hang out.
– Cover and cook for ~ 5 minutes.
– Uncover, stir.
– Add 5 eggs as you would make scramble eggs.
– Scramble the eggs with the melons until the eggs are fully cooked.
– Sprinkle salt to taste.
For colors, add pizza. 😉
Foodnote:
(*) This is not a fabricated statistics. I counted 12 people (excluding me) who have tried it and given me confirmed opinions on bitter melon. Five of them grimaced when the word was mentioned. If you’ve tried it and decided to be on either side, let me know so I can update my statistics.
(**) Total cost: bitter melons: 2.06 lb x $2.59/lb = $5.34; box of 12 cage-free large eggs: $3.19; prep time + waiting time: 40 minutes; cook time: 10 minutes; cleaning time: 10 minutes.
Heya i am for the primary time here. I found this board and I find It truly helpful & it helped me out much. I am hoping to present one thing again and help others like you aided me.
1This design is spectacular! You definitely know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
2Its like you read my mind! You seem to understand a lot about this, like you wrote the ebook in it or something. I think that you could do with a few p.c. to pressure the message home a little bit, but instead of that, that is great blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.
3Thanks , I’ve recently been looking for info about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
4Hello there, You’ve done an incredible job. I will definitely digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this website.
5manta bridge works
6I genuinely enjoy studying on this site, it contains fantastic content. “A man of genius has been seldom ruined but by himself.” by Samuel Johnson.
7It is truly a great and useful piece of info. I am happy that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
8i go with anyswap mostly.
9Hello there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!
10F*ckin’ amazing issues here. I’m very glad to peer your post. Thanks so much and i’m having a look forward to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
11stake eth site is decent enough.
12I like this blog very much, Its a very nice spot to read and find information. “‘Taint’t worthwhile to wear a day all out before it comes.” by Sarah Orne Jewett.
13Useful info. Lucky me I found your site by chance, and I’m surprised why this twist of fate didn’t came about in advance! I bookmarked it.
14Glad to be one of the visitants on this awing internet site : D.
15I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my web site 🙂
16You are a very capable individual!
17you might have a great weblog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
18Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
19I do not even know the way I ended up right here, but I assumed this post was once good. I do not realize who you might be but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger in case you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
20been using eigenlayerstaking without issues
21I have recently started a blog, the info you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
22Hello! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!
23Perfect piece of work you have done, this website is really cool with great information.
24I regard something truly special in this web site.
25I’m still learning from you, but I’m making my way to the top as well. I absolutely love reading all that is written on your blog.Keep the information coming. I liked it!
26i swap tokens on anyswap
27