This Filipino dish Ampalaya with Beef and Black Beans is my version of the Cavite recipe Ampalaya con Carne. This entree is a saute of sliced ampalaya (bitter melon), savory strips of beef and salted black beans. This dish cooks fast and easy in a wok or a large skillet. Best served with rice. This recipe was adapted from the cookbook Republic of Taste: Untold Stories of Cavite Cuisine by Ige Ramos. Serves 2.
Prep Time1 hourhr5 minutesmins
Cook Time10 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr15 minutesmins
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish, Vegetables
Cuisine: American, Asian, Filipino
Keyword: Ampalaya Beef Black Beans
Servings: 2people
Calories: 257kcal
Author: Asian in America
Equipment
wok or large skillet
Ingredients
1 to 2whole piecesampalaya (bitter melon or bitter gourd)sliced, seeded, white spongy parts removed; about 2 cups
1/2cupsaltfor soaking ampalaya
1teaspoonbaking sodafor blanching ampalaya in water
3cups water
4Tablespoonsvegetable oil
2clovesgarlicminced
1wholeonionchopped
2Tablespoonstausi (canned salted black beans)drain water if canned
2teaspoonsoyster sauce
1/4poundbeef sirloin; or skirt steaksliced in 2-inch thin strips
1/2teaspoonbrown sugar
1cupvegetable broth (or water)
1teaspoonsoy sauce
1/8teaspoonsesame oil
1teaspoon ground black pepper powder
steamed rice for serving
Instructions
To prepare the ampalaya:
Slice the ampalaya open horizontally in half. Using a sharp knife or fork, scrape off the seeds and white spongy membrane - discard these.Slice the ampalaya further into 1/2-inch sized thick ringlets.Soak the ampalaya in a bowl filled with salt. Mix and coat pieces with the salt. Keep the ampalaya soaked in salt for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
After soaking, rinse the ampalaya in running water. Set aside.Boil 3 cups of water in a medium stock pot. Blanche the ampalaya for 30 to 40 seconds. Remove from the boiling water. Drain the ampalaya. Soak blanched ampalaya in a bowl filled with iced water for 5 minutes. This is to stop the cooking process and maintain the fresh, green appearance of the vegetable. Drain ampalaya and set aside.
To saute the ampalaya:
In a large wok or skillet, over medium-high heat, add the vegetable oil.When oil is hot enough in 1 to 2 minutes, saute the garlic and onions.Mix in the tausi (salted black beans) and oyster sauce.Add the beef strips to the mixture. Sprinkle the brown sugar. Saute together with the rest of the ingredients for 5 minutes.
Pour the vegetable broth, and soy sauce.Add the ampalaya. Blend with the beef. Cook for 2 minutes more.Season with sesame oil and ground black pepper.Serve warm with rice.