Stir Fried Bitter Melon and Eggplant with Miso

Name: Stir Fried Bitter Melon and Eggplant with Miso
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 4 inches Bitter melon (bitter gourd or goya) (I used 1/2 of the Chinese variety that has pale green skin with smooth bumps); 2 Japanese eggplants (or 1 Chinese eggplant, which is typically longer); 1 inch Ginger; 2 tbsps Neutral oil (divided; plus more, if needed); 1 tbsp ORGANIC MISO 3 YEAR AGED; 1 tbsp Mirin; 1/2 tbsp Soy sauce; 1/2 tbsp Sake

Learn to make Stir-Fried Bitter Melon and Eggplant and enjoy the health benefits of these unique Asian vegetables. Seasoned with savory Japanese miso and warm ginger, this vegan-friendly dish pairs beautifully with hot steamed rice.

This recipe is created by Nami (Just One Cookbook^®)

Recipe

Trimmed_Stir-Fried Bitter Melon and Eggplant with Miso-9975

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Servings 2

Ingredients

4 inches Bitter melon (bitter gourd or goya) I used 1/2 of the Chinese variety that has pale green skin with smooth bumps
2 Japanese eggplants (or 1 Chinese eggplant, which is typically longer)
1 inch Ginger
2 tbsps Neutral oil (divided; plus more, if needed)

For the Seasonings

1 tbsp ORGANIC MISO 3 YEAR AGED
1 tbsp Mirin
1/2 tbsp Soy sauce
1/2 tbsp Sake

Instructions

To Prepare the Ingredients

Combine 1 tbsp miso, 1 tbsp mirin, 1/2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1/2 tbsp sake in a bowl and mix together. Set aside.
Peel and slice 1 inch ginger diagonally into very thin oval pieces, then stack and slice them lengthwise into thin julienne strips. Set aside some of the julienned ginger for the topping, then mince the rest of the strips.
Cut 4 inches bitter melon (bitter gourd or goya) in half lengthwise and remove the seeds with a spoon. Thinly slice the bitter melon crosswise into pieces 1/8 inch thick.

To Stir-Fry

Heat a large pan on medium-high heat. When it‘s hot, add 1 Tbsp neutral oil and distribute it. When the oil is hot, add the bitter melon.
Stir-fry on medium-high heat for 1 minute. Turn off the heat and transfer the bitter melon to a dish.
Discard the tops of 2 Japanese eggplants and cut them in half lengthwise. Slice the eggplant diagonally, rotating a quarter turn after each cut.
Tip: We cut the eggplant right before cooking so it doesn‘t change color. If you want to cut ahead of time, soak the cut pieces in water to prevent discoloration, then dry with a clean towel before stir-frying.
Heat the large pan again over medium-high heat. When it‘s hot, add 1 Tbsp neutral oil and distribute it in the pan. When the oil is hot, add the eggplant. Stir and coat with the oil, and then cover. Reduce the heat to low and let it steam until the eggplant is tender, about 5 minutes.
Uncover, add the minced ginger, and quickly stir. Add the bitter melon back to the pan and quickly stir. Then, add the seasonings and quickly stir.