Ginisang Ampalaya with Toyomansi (Sauteed Bitter Melon)

Have you tried the recipe ginisang ampalaya with Toyomansi? Ginisa in English translates to sauteed or stir-fried. In Filipino cooking, ginisa means cooking food by sauteing it in oil or butter with garlic, onion, and sometimes tomatoes.

Ginisang ampalaya with Toyomansi, or sautéed bitter melon with soy sauce and calamansi, is a flavorful Filipino dish that balances bitter, savory, and tangy flavors. A splash of Toyomansi—made with soy sauce and calamansi juice enhances the dish with a zesty, salty kick. Often served as a healthy side dish or a light main meal, it’s perfect with steamed rice and pairs well with other traditional Filipino dishes.

What is bitter melon?

Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd or Momordica charantia, is a tropical fruit (yes, bitter melon is a fruit) often used as a vegetable in cooking. It has distinctive rigid and wrinkled skin, oblong in shape, and a very bitter taste.

What is Toyomansi?

Toyomansi is a popular Filipino dipping sauce made from a mixture of soy sauce (toyo in Tagalog) and calamansi juice (mansi – shortened from calamansi word). You can either make the Toyomansi from scratch or buy it bottled from an Asian store.

How to prepare the bitter melon or bitter gourd?

Wash it thoroughly under running water to remove the dust and dirt. Then, cut off the ends. Slice the melon lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and white pith with a spoon because these are very bitter. Then, slice it into thin half-moons.

To reduce the bitter melon’s bitterness, sprinkle salt generously over the slices, let it sit for 15-20 minutes then, rinse with water to remove excess salt.

Ingredient Substitutes

• Butter – olive oil
• Toyomansi – Soy sauce
• Sardines – meat

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Ginisang Ampalaya with Toyomansi

Bitter melon recipe with Toyomansi sauce recipe

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Asian, Filipino, Philippines, Southeast Asia

Keyword: bitter gourd, bitter melon, calamansi, soy sauce, toyomansi

Ingredients

• 1 large bitter melon/gourd, sliced
• 2-4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 can sardines (ligo)
• 1 tbsp toyomansi or soy sauce
• ground black pepper, to taste
• salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Wash the bitter melon thoroughly. Cut lengthwise and slice it into thin half-moons.

2. Preheat the pan over medium-high heat. Melt the butter

3. Saute the onion for 3 minutes or until soft.

4. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute.

5. Add the bitter melon. Saute for 7-10 minutes. Add more butter if necessary. Stir well.

6. Add the sardines, Toyomansi, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

7. Cover. Turn down the heat to low.

8. Cook for 5 minutes or until the bitter melon is tender.

9. Taste before removing from the heat. Add salt or pepper if necessary then lightly stir.

10. Serve over steamed white rice.

Recipe Notes

Watch the video recipe

Other bitter melon (ampalaya) recipes you might like:

Ginisang Ampalaya (Sauteed Bitter Melon or Gourd)

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