Ginisang Ampalaya at Hipon

Ginisang Ampalaya at Hipon is a delicious vegetable stir-fry made of bittermelon, shrimp, tomatoes, and eggs. It's nutritious, delicious, and budget-friendly, too!

If you're looking for a simple vegetable dish, this ampalaya stir-fry with shrimp must be on your regular meal rotation. You'll love it as much as I do for many reasons.

• Quick and easy to make in under 30 minutes. Plus, there are no complicated ingredients to run around town for!
• Budget-friendly and adaptable. Don't like shrimp? Easily switch up flavors by swapping the shrimp with minced or diced pork!
• Nutritious as it is delicious. It makes a tasty meal with steamed rice, and it's packed with protein and good-for-you nutrients you'll feel good serving the whole family.

Old wives' tales

It's funny how many wives' tales out there on how to rid ampalaya of its natural bitterness. A popular one is "the cook should be smiling and singing while cooking the ampalaya," and another is "the cook has to be a virgin."

Well, since I am not of a bubbly disposition and have not been pure in thoughts or actions for at least two decades, am I doomed for acrid ampalaya? No, ma'am, because luckily, I have a few tricks on how to conquer bittermelon!

To salt or not to salt

One traditional method of preparing ampalaya is to let the slices sit in salt until they begin to weep and then squeeze to eliminate the bitterness. I often skip this method because a) I'm lazy and don't like extra work, and b) bittermelon is a nutritional powerhouse. Why deplete the vegetable of its beneficial juices?

By following these simple tips below, your next ginisang ampalaya at hipon will be more palatable without the customary salting. Give them a try, and let me know what you think in the comments.

How to serve and store

• Ginisang ampalaya at hipon is a vegetable dish you can enjoy for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Serve with steamed rice and your choice of grilled meat or fried fish for a tasty and healthy meal.
• Store leftovers in a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in a pan over medium heat or in the microwave at 2 to 3-minute intervals to 165 F.

Want more ways to enjoy bittermelon? Make it con carne or with sardines!

More ginisa recipes

Ginisang Upo with Pork

Ginisang Repolyo

Ginisang Gulay

Ginisang Togue

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @kawalingpinoy on Facebook and Instagram!

4.60 from 10 votes

Ginisang Ampalaya at Hipon

Ampalaya Stir-fry with shrimp and eggs is delicious as it is nutritious. This ginisang ampalaya dish is easy to make and budget-friendly, too!

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Author: Lalaine Manalo

Course: Main Entree, Side Dish

Print Pin It Email Recipe

4 Servings

Ingredients

• 4 medium ampalaya
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 onion, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 large Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• ½ pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup water
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Cut ampalaya lengthwise and with a spoon, remove seeds and scrape off white pith. Sliced thinly and place in a bowl of cold water until needed. Drain well when ready to use.
• In a wide skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions and garlic. Cook, stirring regularly, until softened.
• Add tomatoes and cook, mashing with the back of the spoon, until softened and release juice.
• Add fish sauce and cook for about 1 minute.
• Add shrimp and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until shrimp starts to change color.
• Add water and bring to a boil.
• Add ampalaya and gently toss to combine. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes or until tender yet crisp.
• In a thin stream, add eggs and gently stir to distribute. Continue to cook for about 1 minute or until eggs have set.
• Season with sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Notes

• Use the youngest and greenest gourds because the bitter taste intensifies as the vegetable matures and yellows.
• Scrape off all the white pith inside and slice the green flesh as thinly as possible.
• Keep stirring to a minimum, and do not overcook.
• Sugar, used in the right proportion, can help neutralize bitter flavors. Sprinkle the dish with about ½ teaspoon of salt and pepper.

“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”