Ampalaya with Egg. Filipinos know the secret of the delicious Ampalaya or bitter melon. It is the key to making this stir-fry sensational and thanks to this recipe it has never been easier!
This delicious medley of sauteed fruits, shrimp, and pork is the easy meal you have been looking for! This easy-to-follow recipe brings out the most exciting flavors from the sometimes misunderstood ampalaya. You will love the layered flavors in this dish as much as you love how easy it is to make!
What is Ampalaya with Egg?
Very basically, Ampalaya with Egg is a veggie stir fry. What sets this Filipino favorite apart is the deliciously intriguing flavor of the ampalaya or bitter melon. This unique, squash-like vegetable makes for an unforgettable flavor!
This dish is a classic of Filipino cuisine. It is simple, filling, and reminds me of childhood in the most delicious way!
What Makes Ampalaya with Egg so Great!?
Best Flavor with the least amount of Bitterness!
This recipe gets the most delicious flavor out of the ampalaya without the bitter taste(kinda). The is soaking the Bitter GOurd with water and salt. This delicious technique will make this the last ampalaya recipe you will ever need!
Ampalaya with Ease!
This recipe does not require special equipment or fancy techniques. You don’t need extra tools or anything more than a wok or pot to get started. My recipe for Ampalaya with Egg is a one-pot-wonder that you can whip up in practically no time!
Not only are the tools simple, but the ingredients are too. Every element in this recipe is easy to find and inexpensive, plus it’s ready in a flash! Make this on a weeknight or for a fun weekend feast, anytime is right for this simple recipe!
Money Saving Meal!
This recipe uses very simple ingredients that don’t break the bank. Whether you’re making this for two or for ten people this dish is easy to make on the cheap! It’s a budget-friend;y way to make brunch or dinner that won’t fail to fill you up!
My recipe is especially friendly to home gardeners. If you have extra bitter melon and/or tomatoes from your harvest this is the way to use them!
Ingredients for Ampalaya with Egg
- Ampalaya (Bitter Melon)-Ampalaya is another name for bitter gourd. This is a very popular vegetable in the Philippines. This viny plant grows throughout the Philippines and Southeast Asia and the bitter melon is its edible fruit.
People who are unfamiliar with this fruit often shy away from it because of its sometimes bitter taste. One surefire way to combat the bitterness in this ingredient is to always purchase a young ampalaya; you can tell this from its skin because the young ones will be greener than the yellowish older fruits. Look for heavy fruits with bright green skin without blemishes.
- Hipon (Shrimp)-Hipon is the Filipino word for shrimp. These tiny crustaceans add so much flavor and umami richness to the recipe. Choose fresh shrimp and wash and peel them before cooking.
- Pork Belly-Not only does pork belly serve as a protein in this recipe, but it is renderer and its delectably rich fat is used to cook everything else. This gives everything a wonderfully meaty and luxurious flavor one might not expect from a stir-fry that features a fruit!
- Eggs-Fresh eggs bring fat, flavor, and richness to this amazing stir-fry! Use your favorite variety of large, fresh eggs.
- Red Onion-Red onion has a bold flavor that works well both raw and cooked. In this recipe, the red onion’s flavor can cook into a sweet and savory flavor bomb! In a pinch, you can swap this ingredient for another onion, but you will miss out on a colorful pop from the red onion.
- Garlic-Delicious fresh garlic is almost addictive! It adds a wonderful depth of flavor to tons of savory dishes. Choose fresh or search the produce section for freshly jarred garlic to bring a delicious pop to this dish!
- Tomatoes-Fresh tomatoes are the bright and fun flavor this recipe needs to round it out! Choose tomatoes with bright red skin. They should be firm but slightly yielding and have a nice, full weight. A bright red skin indicates a delicious fresh tomato!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Render pork belly in one teaspoon of cooking oil.
- Remove pork belly from the heat and saute garlic, onion, and tomato.
- Add in the shrimp and cook until it changes its color.
- Add the Ampalaya and cover. Cook for five more minutes, covered. Beat the egg and mix it with the rest of the cooked ingredients.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Remove as much plinth as possible from the ampalaya, this portion of the fruit holds a lot of bitter flavors.
- Prepare to cook by peeling the shrimp in advance.
- This recipe works at any time of day and it’s always a good idea to have rice on hand to pair this with!
How to Prepare Ampalaya to Make it less bitter?
- Wash the ampalaya and remove the seed using a spoon.
- Cut into small pieces as shown in the picture.
- Put the ampalaya in a medium-sized bowl and add the salt. Mix together and let the Ampalaya sit for thirty minutes.
- Squeeze out the juice and rinse with water.
- Drain the water as much as you can and you can now cook it.
What to Serve with Ampalaya with Egg?
This recipe is a star on its own, but some awesome side dishes can take it to a whole new level. Fill a bowl with rice and top it with this stir-fry for a simple but satisfying meal. Try serving this for brunch with warm tortillas or toast. One thing is certain, this wonderful dish is delicious no matter how you pair it up.
How to Store and Reheat Ampalaya with Egg
Storing this tasty recipe is easy. Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring all the leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days, or you can freeze them too.
There are two suitable ways to reheat this dish, in the microwave or in a wok. To reheat in the microwave simply transfer the desired amount of leftovers to a microwave-safe container and heat for up to 2 minutes. To reheat in a wok, heat a wok over medium heat, add the Ampalaya with Egg to the hot wok and stir it up for a few minutes until it is warm throughout.
Is Bitter Melon Good For You?
Bitter melon is an amazing fruit. It has been linked to some very impressive health side effects including ongoing research into its cancer-reducing effects. This impressive piece of produce has tons of vitamins and nutrients to keep you going and that is why it is so perfect for this recipe!
Bitter melon has plenty of fiber, folate, and potassium and it is rich in vitamins A and C. This amazing ingredient is the healthy addition your recipes have been looking for!
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you can’t wait to get back to cooking, try diving into some of my delicious Pinoy-inspired flavors. My easy Filipino recipes are a hit with everyone who tried them!
Instant Pot Chicken Breast Congee
Chicken Tocino Easy Recipe with Pineapple Juice
Easy and Quick Ampalaya with Egg recipe
Equipment
- Wok or pan
- Laddle
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ampalaya or Bitter Gourd seeded and cleaned
- 1/2 lb pork belly cubed
- .25 lb shrimp deveined
- 1/4 cup tomatoes chopped
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp salt
- water
Instructions
Prepare the Ampalaya for Cooking
- Wash the ampalaya and remove the seed using a spoon. Cut into small pieces as shown in the picture. Put the ampalaya in a medium-sized bowl and add the salt. Mix together and let the Ampalaya sit for thirty minutes. Squeeze out the juice and rinse with water. Drain the water as much as you can and you can now cook it.
- Render pork belly in one teaspoon of cooking oil. Remove pork belly from the heat and saute garlic, onion, and tomato. Add in the shrimp and cook until it changes its color. Add the Ampalaya and cover. Cook for five more minutes, covered. Beat the egg and mix it with the rest of the cooked ingredients.
Welcome!
Hi, my name is Shobee. Welcome to The Skinny Pot, where we cook Easy Recipes from the available ingredients from our pantry and fridge! We’re your go-to source for simple and delicious recipes that make the most of what you already have at home. Talk about the pantry challenge. Read more...
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