Sweet Bitter Gourd Porridge (Meatless Recipe)

Have you ever heard or tried cooking porridge with bitter gourd? Sounds weird, isn't it? This dish is the result of my 'spur of the moment' recipe. I wasn't feeling well and wanted to eat something simple and refreshing and yet feeling lazy to do all the preparation, cooking, washing, mopping, etc. Then I realized that my homemade salted duck eggs are due for 'harvest' (exactly 21 days) and I was so excited to try it. Ahaa... let's have plain porridge with salted eggs... but...I doubt my children would like it just with salted eggs! So, while 'ransacking' my fridge, I found 1 miserable bitter gourd which had ripened! BUT... I don't want to do any frying..... So, my weird idea and 'lazy mode' is the result of this porridge. Guess what???? Surprisingly, it's quite delicious and not bitter at all but slightly sweet due to the Chinese Wolfberries (and the bitter gourd was fully ripened!) So, if you are curious how you are going to react to this weird porridge, just give this a try.

Get a ripe bitter gourd if you don't like the bitter taste.

Ingredients :

- 1.5 cup rice (I used brown rice)

- 1 bitter gourd - use a spoon to discard the seeds (washed and sliced thinly)

- 2 tbsp fresh wood ear mushroom (washed and sliced thinly) - you can use dried ones

- 1 tbsp Chinese Wolfberries (washed)

- 1 tbsp shredded ginger

Seasonings : (to taste)

- salt

- soy sauce

- miso

- sesame oil

Method :

1)  Wash rice and add water accordingly; as to your usual porridge requirement.  Cook porridge at medium high heat. 

2)  When the porridge is semi-cooked, add bitter gourd and wood ear.  I added hot water as my measurement of water was not accurate.  Cover.

3)  Let it boil for about 5 minutes and lower the heat to medium low. Add shredded ginger and slow cook for about 1/2 hour or until the porridge is ready.

4)  Add the Chinese Wolfberries and salt to taste.  Stir and mix well.  Turn off the heat.  Cover and let it stand for about 20 to 30 minutes before it's ready to be served.

Season it with soy sauce and some sesame oil.  Have it with homemade salted duck eggs.

Or if you don't like salted egg, then what about some miso?  It's yummy too :)

Or, like me, have it both; miso and homemade salted duck eggs and seasoned with a dash of soy sauce and sesame oil. You must be wondering how 'salty' am I!!! Well, NO, just nice as I added a bit of everything!

Do give this porridge a try if you DARE to be different! hahahaha...

I'm linking this post to Little Thumbs Up organised by Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids and Doreen of My Little Favourite DIY and hosted by Alvin of Chef and Sommelier.

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