How to Cook Sautéed Ampalaya in Reduced Coconut Milk Sauce

How to Cook Sautéed Ampalaya in Reduced Coconut Milk Sauce

BITTER GOURD (AMPALAYA) HEALTH BENEFITS: 

• Bitter juice helps increase the body’s resistance against infection.
• Bitter gourd is an excellent natural remedy for diabetes due to its hypoglycemic or insulin-like compound, known as “plantinsulin”. It reduces the blood and urine sugar levels. Its regular use prevents many complications such as hypertension, eye complications, neuritis and defective metabolism of carbohydrates.
• Bitter gourd helps alleviate eye problems and improving eyesight.
• Bitter gourd juice is beneficial in the treatment of a hangover because of its detoxifying property. It also
• Helps cleanse, repair and nourish liver.
• Regular consumption of two ounces of fresh bitter melon juice, mix with a cup of honey diluted in water may help respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis.
• Bitter melon helps in the treatment of intestinal worms and diarrhea.
• Bitter gourd stimulates digestion and can be very potent in people with dyspepsia and constipation. Bitter juice helps prevent leprosy.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium sized bitter melon (ampalaya) sliced 1/2 inch thick diagonally
• 1 cup fresh coconut milk
• 200 grams diced pork
• 2 pcs green finger pepper (siling berde pangsigang)
• 1 medium sized onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 inch crushed ginger
• salt & pepper to taste

For thickening mixture:

• 2tbsp. cornstarch 
• 1/2 cup water (Just combine and mix in a bowl)

How to Cook Sautéed Ampalaya in Reduced Coconut Milk Sauce:

1. In a pre-heated pan, saute the pork until brown. Add 1/2 cup
2. of water, cover and let it simmer until it dries up. (check regularly to avoid from getting burned).
3. Add the garlic, ginger, onion, green finger pepper and ampalaya (bitter melon). Add a little water. Stir. Cover. Simmer on a low heat until cooked.
4. Remove the sauteed ampalaya from the pan. Set aside.
5. With the same pan, pour 1 cup of coconut milk. Let it simmer on a low heat. (do not cover). Stirring regularly to avoid the coconut from turning into oil.
6. Slowly add the cornstarch mixture while stirring continuously. season with salt.
7. Cook on low heat until it becomes thick according to your preference.
8. Add the sauteed ampalaya. Stir for a while. Turn of the fire.
9. Serve hot. Share & enjoy!

TIPS:

• 10 minutes before cooking time, soak the sliced ampalaya in water with salt. Afterwards, rinse with tap water. This will lessen the bitter taste of ampalaya.
• Use thickening mixture according to your desired thickness.

BITTER GOURD (AMPALAYA) NUTRIENT CONTENT:

• Vitamin C: 88 mg
• Calcium: 20 mg
• Iron: 1.8 mg
• Phosphorus: 70mg
• Fiber: 0.8%
• Fat: 0.2%
• Protein: 1.6%
• Carbohydrate: 4.2% 

So there you go, SAUTEED AMPALAYA IN REDUCED COCONUT MILK SAUCE.
Happy eating! The healthy way.

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