“Sour, sweet, bitter, pungent: all must be tasted.” – Chinese proverb
I hinted in the last recipe that bitter melon was coming, so here it is! The bitter flavor is often overlooked and underused these days, but I encourage you to give it a try. This is one of my favorite recipes from Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen so I am highlighting it here today as it is in the cookbook, with the addition of kale to the stir fry (mainly because I had some extra kale and thought it would taste good).
In Chinese herbal medicine, bitter melon is bitter and cold, and enters the Stomach, Heart and Liver channels to clear heat and alleviate thirst that is due to Summer Heat. It can also treat redness and pain in the eyes. It is high in Vitamin C, and “scientific studies have suggested that bitter melon contains a compound that moderates blood sugar, helping to control type 2 diabetes” (Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen).
**Avoid eating bitter melon if you are trying to conceive.
INGREDIENTS
1-2 medium sized bitter melon
2 eggs
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 medium bunch kale, chopped
2 tablespoons sesame oil
Soy sauce, to taste
Other optional condiments: black pepper, hot sauce, black vinegar, green onion
DIRECTIONS
Cut the bitter melon in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds, then cut in half again and chop into chunks.
[Optional step to mellow out the bitter flavor] Bring a medium soup pot of water up to a boil. When water is boiling, add chopped bitter melon and let boil for about 5 minutes. Drain water out and set melon aside.
In a separate bowl, beat eggs with whisk or fork.
Preheat wok or large skillet on stove to medium-high. Add sesame oil to the pan. Add garlic, stirring frequently, for about 1 minute. Add bitter melon and continue to stir fry for about 5 more minutes. Add kale and combine until kale starts to wilt, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and combine with bitter melon to scramble the eggs.
Remove from heat. Add soy sauce to taste. Serve as a side dish with rice and other vegetables or main dishes.
References
Bensky, D., Clavey, S., Stoger, E., & Gamble, A. (2004). Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd Edition. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press, Inc.
Pitchford, Paul. (2002). Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition, 3rd Edition. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
Wang, Y., Sheir, W., & Ono, M. (2010). Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press.