1/2 lb ampalaya (bitter melon or bitter gourd) 1 tbsp salt (or to taste) 1 scallion 2 medium-sized onions 4 tbsp veg oil 6 cloves garlic, minced 3 small tomatoes, chopped 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
Ampalaya with Eggs (this recipe)
Trim away the two pointed ends of the ampalaya and cut them in
half
lengthwise. Remove the pale, seeded section with a spoon and
discard
it. Cut the darker green outer shells crosswise, at a slight
diagonal,
into 1/4 inch wide strips. Prepare a solution of 2 cups water and 1
tbsp
salt in a bowl. Put the ampalaya strips into this bowl and set
aside
for 2 hours.
Drain the ampalaya and rinse the strips under running water.
Drain
again and pat dry.
Cut the scallion into 2 inch lengths and then cut each section
lengthwise into thin strips. Peel the onions and cut them in
half
lengthwise; then slice them into fine half rings.
Heat the oil in a skillet over a medium flame. When hot, put in
the
garlic, fry until garlic is light brown. Add the onions. Stir
and fry
for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes. Stir and fry 2 minutes. Add
ampalaya,
turn down the heat. Stir occasionally and fry around 10 minutes
or
until ampalaya is tender. Stir in beated eggs and the salt.
Stir and
cook as you would scrambled eggs until eggs have reached a
consistency
you like. Remove from heat, add scallion strips and serve.