Stir Fried Bitter Gourd

I enjoy this dish and revel in all its bitterness. You may think it's unusual huh? Well, the thing is when I was growing up, Dad would bring us to drink this herbal cooling tea every week which was extremely bitter. I used to dread that drink but now I actually enjoy it! It must be true that taste has to be acquired. So, now I enjoy eating bitter gourd and don't find it bitter at all. My taste buds have changed from years of drinking that bitter tea!

Hubby on the hand, did not have the same experience of being exposed to bitter foods early on. But he has slowly acquired a liking to this dish too.

It's very simple to prepare. You can add chicken pieces or fishball or even fishcake slices, as accompaniments.

Instructions
1 bittergourd, cut in thin slices (tip: bitter gourd is green in color; the darker the color the more bitter it is - so choose according to your liking)
1 clove garlic, cut in small pieces
1 small onion, cut in medium slices
3 slices of young ginger
4 fried fishballs, cut in half
1 tablespoon bean paste
Soya sauce to taste
Vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon

Method
Heat oil in stir fry pan. Fry garlic, onion and ginger together. Add fishball pieces and fry till the fishy taste is removed. Add bitter gourd and keep frying for 2 mins. Pour in bean paste and soya sauce. Then close pan with lid and let it simmer for 8 mins. Serve.