Braised Bittergourd with Pork Ribs

Its been a while I've cook such a hearty meal...2 dish and 1 soup! hahaha been very lazy and usually one pot meal settles all which is fast and easy. I miss eating braised bitter gourd with pork ribs prepared by my mother, and this is the first time I'm cooking this!  I've make this dish more saucy as I know my kids will love the savoury braised sauce though they don't really fancy bitter gourd. They manage to taste one slice each. 😓 Nevermind that they still not able to accept bitter gourd, I've prepared their two favourite dishes, luffa fried egg and ABC soup! Happy dinner!

Ingredient

• 450gm bitter gourd* (I used white version one)
• 400gm soft pork ribs
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• thumb size ginger, minced
• 2 tsp black fermented beans, rinsed and chopped
• 200ml water
• 30gm rock sugar
• 1 tsp light soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• cornstarch solution
• handful of chopped coriander

Marination

• 2 tsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp wine
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp oyster sauce
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 tsp cornflour

Method

1. Combine pork ribs and marination ingredient and mix well. Allow to marinate for a least 30mins. 
2. Slice bitter gourd into chunks. Marinate with 1 tsp salt and set aside for 30mins. Bring a pot of water to boil. Rinse bitter gourd and add into boiling water and cook for 1 min. Drain away water and set aside.
3. Heat 2 tbsp oil in wok. Add ginger and black fermented beans, saute till fragrant. Add in garlic and fry briefly. 
4. Add pork ribs and toss to mix well. Fry for 2 mins. Add in bitter gourd and stir to combine. Add in water and sugar. Bring to boil. Cover wok with a lid and simmer over medium heat for 20 mins until the pork ribs are tender.
5. Add in light and dark soy sauce, sesame oil and cornstarch solution. Continue to simmer until gravy thickens. Toss in coriander and dish up.