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| Bitter
melon or “Mara” in Thai is cultivated in the tropical area such as east
Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean as a food and medicine. Its name can tell
you well the taste. Certainly, it tastes bitter, very bitter.
Parboiling it first with a dash of salt can help you
to reduce the bitterness but for people who acquire a taste for the bitter
flavor, do not do something like this because it can affect the texture
and other flavors that this bitter plant holds.
For cooking, this is one of the well-known recipes
of bitter melon that people who love it should try to learn and do.
"Bitter melon and eggs” or “Mara pad khai”
in Thai Ingredients (serves 4-6)
1 bitter melon
2 eggs 2 Tbs. Light soy sauce Dash of ground
white pepper
Method
- Cut the bitter melon in half lengthwise,, remove
the seeds and slice each half crosswise in thin pieces.
- Beat the eggs in a bowl with 1 to 2 tsp.
of light soy sauce and a dash of white ground pepper.
- Heat a wok until its surface begins to smoke
- Swirl in the oil or lard and let heat 10
to 15 seconds.
- Add the bitter melon and saute in the oil
for about one minute
- Sprinkle with 1 tbs. of light soy sauce
and continue to saute for another 1 to 2 minutes, or until the melon start
to soften.
- Spread the melon pieces thinly over the
wok surface.
- Pour the beaten eggs evenly over the melon
pieces.
- Let eggs set about half a minute, then flip
the mixture over to cook the other side.
- Cook until eggs are set and lightly browned.
For medicine, in numerous studies, we have found that
this bitter fruit is rich of nutrient: iron, vitamins B1, B2 and C. Its
bitterness comes from the high concentration of quinine it contains. That
is the reason why it is regarded as a drug for preventing and treating
malaria. Moreover, since ripe fruit and seeds contains MAP30, it is believed
to inhibit HIV infection,too.
However, it is necessary for diabetics to use this
plant with caution because of its property of reducing cholesterol and
lowering blood glucose level. Check with the doctor before using this
bitter fruit.
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Health & Beauty