Pork, Bitter Melon and Okra Recipe
January 25, 2023•431 words
Background
Inspiration for this recipe comes from this Pork, Bitter Melon and Okra Stew (pinakbet). I had to make a few adjustments for low-carb, onions and availability of ingredients:
- substitute turnip for pumpkin
- substitute daikon radish for onion
- substitute Fish Sauce for Bagoong Sauce
- substitute pork fillet for pork belly
If you don't like pork, lamb would work well too.
If you don't have a pressure cooker, then simmer stew for 15 minutes rather than 5.
Ingredients
- 1 Bitter Melon - see prep
- 2 tbsp oil or fat
- 400g pork
- 1/4 of large Daikon Radish
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules
- 1 cm piece of ginger grated
- 1 tbsp of fish sauce
- 200g of okra - see prep
- 2 Turnips, peeled and large diced
- 3/4 cup of stock
- 2 tomatoes or 4 Roma tomatoes cut into wedges
Prepare Bitter Melon - Optional
- Cut each bitter melon in half lengthwise, and use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Scrape all the white parts clean, because the white parts cause the bitterness. Then slice the melon on a 45-degree angle into thin slices.
- Prepare an ice bath and set aside.
- Boil a pot of water, and stir in 1 tablespoon each of salt and bicarb soda. Blanch the bitter melon for 1 minute, and use a slotted spoon to immediately transfer the bitter melon to the ice bath. Drain and set aside.
Prepare Okra - Optional
If more than 200g, separate and save for another dish
- Using a small sharp knife, make a few small incisions in each okra.
- Heat a large frying pan over medium–high heat.
- Add the olive oil, fry the okra until softened, then remove from the pan and drain on kitchen paper.
Prepare Pork and Combine
- In pressure cooker or large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat
- Add pork and stir for 3 mins or until golden
- Add the radish and ginger to the pan and fry until lightly browned and fragrant.
- Stir in Fish Sauce, garlic, bitter melon, turnips, okra and stock
- Cook for 5 mins on high pressure than rapid release. Check veges are tender. Alternatively, cover and simmer for 15 mins.
- Remove from heat and stir in tomatoes
- Season with salt and pepper
- Return to heat and stir for 3 mins until tomatoes soften
This work by Rod Sherwin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License