This Ampalaya Con Carne recipe is not only quick and easy but deliciously healthy as well. Enjoy this simple dish with a bowl of steamed rice for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
What is Ampalaya Con Carne?
It is a stir-fry with tender beef slices and bitter gourd in a flavorful, velvety sauce. The beef slices are marinated in soy sauce and cornstarch, much like Beef Broccoli, to tenderize the meat. They are then stir-fried with the ampalaya slices and soy sauce-oyster sauce mixture. The bitterness of the ampalaya is sealed by the sweet, salty brown sauce and the meat's savory taste, which complement each other perfectly.
What is Ampalaya?
It is also known as bitter melon or bitter gourd. Ampalaya is a tropical vine vegetable with green, bumpy skin that originated in Africa and has spread across Asia. It is one of the most infamous vegetables because of its bitter taste. Some people find the overwhelming bitterness unbearable, but with the proper preparation, you will have an incredibly delicious and nutritious dish like Ginisang Ampalaya and this Ampalaya Con Carne.
You may try these tips below to make the bitterness of the bitter gourd or ampalaya less intense:
- Soak the ampalaya slices in water with 1 tsp salt until ready to use. Make sure to drain well before adding to the pan.
- You may also rub salt on the ampalaya slices and let them sit for about 10 minutes. Rinse and drain well.
- The bitterness is also reduced by scraping or peeling the rough skin of the ampalaya.
Ampalaya is a powerhouse of nutritional benefits. It is high in fiber and low in calories, making it an excellent option for weight loss and also known to help lower blood sugar.
Other Recipes with Ampalaya
Ingredients You'll Need
- Beef sirloin/ tenderloin - With a sharp knife cut the beef thinly against the grain. Doing this makes the meat less chewy.
- Soy sauce - aside from making the meat more savory, it also retains moisture and aid in tenderizing the meat.
- Ground pepper - it is the flavoring agent on the marinade.
- Cornstarch - helps tenderize and locks in the moisture of the meat and also thickens the sauce. In a pinch, you may also use flour.
- Ampalaya - Choose unripe large, bright green bitter gourds that are firm to the touch. Ripe and smaller ampalaya tend to be more bitter. Remove the seeds and slice them ¼ inch half-moon.
- Oyster sauce - imparts a sweet-savory flavor to the dish.
- Butter/ margarine - Adds a creamy and rich flavor.
Tips when making Ampalaya Con Carne
- Marinate beef slices for about 20-30 minutes before cooking. This elevates the flavor and makes the meat more tender.
- You may also use ground beef or switch beef with chicken, pork, or even shrimp.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds from the ampalaya and scrape the white pith as this is where most bitterness comes from.
- Young, green bitter gourds are what I like to cook. The flavor of mature ones is more pronounced and the texture is a bit mushy.
- Do not stir the ampalaya too much when added to the pan as it will make it bitter as well.
Recipe Video
Serving and Storing Notes
Serve Ampalaya con Carne as a main dish with hot steamed rice. You may also serve it dish together with fried fish, chicken, or breaded pork chops.
Place leftovers in a container with a tight-fitting lid and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Printable Recipe
Ampalaya Con Carne Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ kg beef sirloin/ tenderloin cut into thin slices
- 2 tbsps soy sauce
- ¼ tsp ground pepper
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2-3 tbsp oil
- 1 small onion sliced
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups ampalaya seeds removed and sliced
- ¼ cup oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp butter/ margarine
- salt to taste
Instructions
- ¼ kg beef sirloin/ tenderloin, 2 tbsps soy sauce, ¼ tsp ground pepper, 1 tbsp cornstarchIn a bowl, combine beef, soy sauce, pepper, and cornstarch. Mix well. Marinateuntil ready to use.
- 2-3 tbsp oilIn a wok or wide pan over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add marinated beef (without marinade) and fry for 2-3 mins on each side or until lightly charred. Remove from pan and set aside.
- 1 small onion, 6 cloves garlicIn the same pan, add onion and garlic. Cook until limp and aromatic.
- 3 cups ampalayaLower heat and add ampalaya. Cook for about 30 seconds.
- ¼ cup oyster sauce, 1 tbsp butter/ margarine, saltReturn beef to the pan. Add oyster sauce, remaining marinade (if any), and butter. Stir until ampalaya and beef are evenly coated. Cover until cooked. Season with salt to taste (if needed).
- Remove from heat. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
FAQs
Aside from sirloin or tenderloin, you may also use top loin, tri-tip, shoulder center (Ranch Steak), shoulder top blade (Flat Iron), and ribeye.
Thinly sliced beef only needs to be briefly seared over high heat. Remove the meat from the pan once it has browned on all sides. Do not overcook the beef, or it will become tough.
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