(For all ingredients, please use organic versions if available)
(Serves 4)
Small goya (bitter melon)
120 grams vegan ham
1 package tofu (hard-pressed or firm)
5 tablespoons sesame paste
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 + 1 teaspoons salt
A little pepper
2 tablespoons mixed vegetable oil
Directions (preparing bitter melon):1. Remove both ends of the bitter melon
2. Slice it into two halves and remove seeds and soft core with a spoon
3. Clean out both halves of the bitter melon
4. Slice them thinly (approximately 5 millimeters in thickness)
5. Rub salt into these thin slices (a teaspoon of salt)
6. Let the salted bitter melon sit for almost 15 minutes
Direction (preparing tofu):1. Thoroughly press the water from the tofu (discard the water and wrap the tofu with a paper towel
or a hand towel)
2. Take another plate and place it on top of the wrapped tofu as a weight
3. Let it sit for approximately 30 minutes
Direction (other preparation):1. Slice the vegan ham
2. Use about 120 grams and cut the vegan ham into 1 centimeter cubes
3. When done, place the cubes onto a plate
4. Take the salted bitter melon and wash it with water then discard the water
5. Cut the tofu into small cubes (approximately 1½ centimeters by 1½ centimeters in size)
Direction (stir fry):1. Warm up the frying pan
2. After the pan is heated, put in 2 tablespoons of salad oil (use medium to high heat to stir fry)
3. Mix the oil well with the bitter melon and stir fry
4. Add the vegan ham (start with a high heat, then change to medium when the vegan ham begins to char)
5. Add the tofu (don’t crush the tofu cubes too much)
6. When looks like heat has permeated enough then add a teaspoon of salt
7. Add the sesame paste (lower the heat slightly)
8. Make sure to mix well because the oil can separate from the sesame
9. Add soy sauce at the end
10. Pour the soy sauce slowly along the edge of the pot
11. Wait until the sizzling sound
12. Finished