Sauteed Bitter Melon with Pork and Fried Tofu

Bitter Melon, or Bitter Gourd, or Ampalaya in Filipino, is a very nutritious vegetable. It is one of the most popular edible pod vegetables in many Asian countries. It is grown widely as a field crop, as well as a backyard vegetable. Bitter melon is very low in calories, and its pods are rich in phytonutrients like dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants. It also contains phyto-nutrients, and polypeptide-p, a plant insulin known to lower blood sugar levels. In addition, it contains a hypoglycemic agent called charrantin. Charantin increases glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis inside the cells of liver, muscle and adipose tissue. Together, these compounds have been thought to be responsible for reduction of blood sugar levels in the treatment of type-2 diabetes.
My husband loves Sautéed Ampalaya with egg. Unfortunately, my son? Not so much. He eats it but he's not crazy about it. Like other kids, his complaint is the bitterness. Honestly, like my son, it was not my favorite vegetable as well, especially when I was a kid. As we grow older, our taste buds change and I learned to like it, especially since it is good for me being diabetic.

Ingredients:

• 2 large Bitter Gourd / Ampalaya (seeds removed, washed and sliced thinly diagonally)
• 4 squares Firm Tofu (cubed and fried)
• 1/2 lb. Pork (cubed)
• 2 pcs. Eggs (beaten)
• 5 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 medium Onion (sliced)
• 1 medium Tomato (sliced)
• 2 tbsp. Canola Oil
• 1/2 cup Canola Oil for frying
• Salt and Pepper to taste
  

Let's Cook:

1. Wash and cut bitter gourd lengthwise, then with the use of a spoon, scrape off the seeds and the spongelike tissue. Rinse the ampalaya well to remove the remaining pith. Slice thinly.
2. In high temperature, heat frying pan then add 1/2 cup of cooking oil. When hot enough, carefully put the tofu and fry until golden brown. Set Aside.
3. Heat a pot over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil then add garlic and onion. Sauté until fragrant then add tomato sauté until soft.
4. Put in pork, then sauté until the red color of the meat is no longer showing.
5. Add salt and pepper. Mix well to combine all of the ingredients.
6. Cover the pot and simmer until pork is tender, then add tofu.
7. Add ampalaya and toss until well-combined with the rest of the ingredients.
8. Simmer for at least 3 minutes then add beaten eggs.
9. Adjust seasoning and mix well until the egg is cooked. 
10. Remove from heat immediately to keep the ampalaya's color and avoid over-cooking.
11. Dish out with steamed rice.
12. Share and enjoy!