Spicy Bitter Melon Sambal Goreng. Sambal Goreng Pare (Buah Paria) Pedas

 Many of you probably seen this  pretty looking vegetable in Asian grocery store, but never tempted of buying after you know what it is. Yes, it is called bitter melon. As the name suggested,  it tastes quite bitter. My mother taught me how to get rid of bitterness by soaking the bitter melon (after being sliced) with plenty of salt for a about 15 minutes, then rinse it under cold running water and drain.  The taste will be less bitter, but if you can not stand of the bitterness at all, here is what you can do. Add plenty of salt over the sliced bitter melon, let sit for 15 minutes, now gently rub and squeeze birtter melon to extract as many juice as possible, then rinse with cold water couple of times, squeeze out as much water as possible. There is a bit of down side by doing it this way (extracting all the juice), chances are you are losing all of those beneficial effect that you will get from it.  So, it all depend on you. As for me, I  don't mind a little bitterness.

Bitter Melon Sambal Goreng. Sambal Goreng Pare (Buah Paria)

recipe from my mother

serve 4 - 6

4 medium size bitter melon

5 red shallots, sliced

2 cloves garlic, sliced

2 green serrano chilies, sliced

4 dried chilies, roughly chopped

2 slices of fresh ginger

2 Indonesian bay leaves

1 tbs fish sauce

freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 tbs vegetable oil

Core and remove the seeds from the bitter melon, then slice into 1/4 inch thick. Place into colander, sprinkle generously with kosher salt, leave for 5 to 15 minutes to softened it. When you feel that bitter melon is slightly softened, squeeze or massage it to drain the juice from the water melon. Now rinse it under cold running water, and drain in a colander. See note above if you don't want the bitterness. 

Place a wok over high heat stove, once the wok is hot, add vegetable oil. Add shallot into the wok and stir fry for a few seconds until shallots are wilted. Add garlic, stir fry for 2 seconds. Add ginger, stir fry for a few seconds. Add bitter melon and chillies, stir fry until bittermelon is cooked, about 7 to 10 minutes depending on your taste (I like mine still a bit on the firmer side). Season with fish sauce and freshly ground black pepper. Taste to see if need more salt. Remove from the heat, serve with plain steam rice.  

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