stir fried bitter melon (goya champuru)/ spam version

jul 17, 2023 (mon).............made 1st attempt

benchmark video (you tuber just one cookbook) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLULg4M8iqI

introduction

- a very typical dish in okinawa prefecture 

- location of okinawa is far south from main japan continent that makes them a unique down to earth culinary culture.............though not as fancy/ delicious than cities in japan

- i kinda miss previous travels in okinawa prefecture so wanna replicate the dish

main ingredients (1 serving)

- 1/2 pc x bitter melon/ bitter gourd

- pork (replaced by 1/4 can x spam coz it is available)

- 1/2 pack x firm tofu (replaced by silk tofu coz i cant find it nearby)

- bonito flakes

- 1 x egg

- bonito dashi stock powder (optional)

- soy sauce

- salt

- black pepper

steps

1. beat the egg

2. dissolve bonito dashi powder with hot water (optional)

3. cut tofu into half

4. absorb excess water of tofu by kitchen paper..............then add weight on top to further squeeze water content out

5. cut luncheon meat into strips

6. cut both ends of bitter melon and then into half

7. remove seeds...............if you prefer less bitter, scrap as much white inner tissue as possible

8. slice it into 2-3mm thick............if you prefer less bitter, keep thinner possible

9. add salt to marinate bitter melon for 10 mins

10. rinse with water............this way not only remove salt but also some bitterness as well

11. drain bitter melon

12. tear tofu by hand into big trunks

13. pan fry tofu till golden brown (be patient)

14. pan fry luncheon meat till golden brown

15. last pan fry bitter melon.............until slightly soften............add salt and little black pepper

16. add in rest of ingredients and stir fry together...............later add bonito dashi water and pinch of soy sauce

17. when all bonito dashi water almost dry out...............pour egg batter

18. plating and top with bonito flakes.............you will then see bonito flakes dancing (while the dish still hot)

19. done

taste

-best pair with japanese rice

-bitter melon have little crunchy texture which is good

-taste of luncheon meat especially after pan fry is so flavorful...........saltiness of both luncheon meat and bonito flakes balance off the other relatively plain food ingredients (tofu and bitter melon)

areas of improvement

-i am very satisfied as it is only 1st attempt

-skip adding salt when pan frying bitter melon if using spam

-cook more rice next time coz eaten up all rice when i still have 1/3 of the dish left