Ampalaya, or bitter gourd, became a huge hit among herbal medicine advocates in the late 90s and early 2000s for its anti-diabetic properties.
However, not a lot of people enjoy the bitter taste of ampalaya, whether it’s fresh, juiced, or even cooked. But add in bits of yummy pork mixed in a dash of savory oyster sauce and you’ll find your kids/family/guests craving for more! Who said healthy can’t be yummy? Try this Pork Ampalaya recipe for your next meal!
Ingredients:
- 1 medium size pork tenderloin, about 1/2 kilo, sliced into strips
- 1 medium to large size ampalaya, split in halves de-seeded, sliced crosswise
- 1 small size onion, peeled, chopped
- 1/2 head garlic, peeled, crushed, chopped
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp. ground peppercorns
- salt
- cooking oil
Cooking Instructions:
- Marinate pork strips in soy sauce, half of the cornstarch and a dash of salt and pepper for 10 to 15 minutes. In a wok, heat cooking oil and stir fry thepork in batches until color changes to brown and start to sizzle, set aside.
- Using the same wok sauté garlic and onion until fragrant.
- Add in the ampalaya and stir cook for 1 to 2 minutes then add in 1/2 to 1 cup of water. Continue to cook another 3 to 5 minutes or until the ampalaya is just cooked.
- Add in the pork and oyster sauce and stir cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Thicken sauce with the remaining cornstarch diluted in 1/4 cup of water, cook for another half a minute until sauce thickens. Correct saltines if required.
- Serve hot with a lot of rice.
Source : Overseas Pinoy Cooking
