Ampalaya Con Carne

One way to make bitter gourd more enticing and interesting to eat is by mixing it with beef or any meat that will surely balance its bitterness. We all want our little ones to eat vegetables. As a mom, I introduced eating Ampalaya or bitter gourd to my eldest son as early as 3 years old, same thing will follow with my youngest.  With my experience, to be able to get my kids eat bitter gourd, I make the dish saucy. Tomato sauce will do, oyster sauce and serve it with their favorite food (fried chicken, fish, etc). It's also best to just serve it on the table, let them eat  it (but don't force them) than say a lot of things about it.

Here we go!

Servings: 3-4

Ingredients:

• 2 cups beef cubes (boiled until tender)
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
  
• 5 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/2 tsp minced ginger
• 1 medium onion (chopped)
• 1 medium red tomatoes (cut into quarters)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large Ampalaya (sliced into thin pieces)

 To lessen the bitterness, get rid of the seeds and the white lining beneath it then soak it in water.

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 tsp black pepper granules
• 2 tsp cornstarch

Procedure:

• Boil beef cubes until tender. Drain the meat and set aside 1 1/2 cups of beef broth.
• Mix soy sauce, water, cornstarch and black pepper granules then set aside.
• Saute garlic in olive oil until medium brown.
• Add onion and tomatoes, stir for a few seconds.
• Add beef cubes and stir for a few seconds.
• Add bitter gourd or ampalaya.
• Add beef broth and simmer for 30 seconds or if vegetable is at least half- cooked.
• Shift to low fire then add soy sauce mixture and stir evenly.

Ready to be served!

Of course, bitter gourd has a lot of health benefits. One is lowering/ balancing blood sugar levels. Every part of the plant is useful, that's why some prefer to juice it. But personally, would rather cook it.

For leftovers, check this out!