Savory Stuffed Bitter Gourd with Spiced Mackerel

Ingredients:

• 700 grams mackerel fillet
• 6 shallots
• 5 cloves garlic
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 2 bitter gourds (cleaned and deseeded)
• 4 red chilies (adjust according to preference)
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Spice Paste:

   • Grind together shallots, garlic, ginger, red chilies, salt, and sugar into a smooth paste.

2. Cooking the Mackerel:

   • Heat vegetable oil in a pan. Sauté the spice paste until fragrant. Add the mackerel fillet, breaking it into smaller pieces. Stir-fry until the fish is cooked through.
   • Crack an egg into the pan and mix well with the mackerel mixture. Cook until the egg is fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

3. Preparing the Bitter Gourd:

   • Clean the bitter gourds, cut them lengthwise, and remove the seeds.

4. Stuffing and Steaming:

   • Fill the cleaned bitter gourd halves with the cooked mackerel mixture.

5. Steaming:

   • Steam the stuffed bitter gourds until they are cooked through. Be careful not to overcook; the gourd should remain slightly firm.

6. Serving:

   • Serve the stuffed bitter gourds with a side of steamed cucumber and tomato for a refreshing contrast.

Enjoy this unique and flavorful dish of Stuffed Bitter Gourd with Mackerel, perfect for exploring new tastes and textures in your culinary adventures!