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Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd, is widely used in Asian cuisine and is a significant ingredient in Okinawan diet. Just like our body needs salt and sugar, it also needs some bitterness to have a balanced diet. The most significant health benefit of bitter melon is related to diabetes.

In my bitter melon salad, I've used sesame powder for nutty flavour and the lemon juice for sourness. I think it is a great combination of flavours. It is good to have this salad once a week to get its obvious health benefits.

Bitter Melon Salad with Lemon and Sesame

Ingredients:
  • 2 medium size bitter melon
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds, finely powdered (use grinder to make sesame powder)
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt to taste
  • A pinch of turmeric powder
  • Juice of half lemon

Preparation:
  • Wash the bitter melons well and cut them in circles about half-inch thick.
Bitter Melon Salad with Lemon and Sesame
  • Take the seeds out from the middle.
  • Boil the bitter melons for about 10 minutes or until they are soft but make sure not to overcook them.
Bitter Melon Salad with Lemon and Sesame
  • Drain out the water.
Bitter Melon Salad with Lemon and Sesame
  • In a bowl, mix bitter melon with rest of the ingredients.
Do you like this recipe? Feel free to share your views.


24 comments:

    Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...
    Very intriguing and looks quite delicious~
  1. ... on April 23, 2011 at 12:46 AM  
  2. Torviewtoronto said...
    looks yummy
  3. ... on April 23, 2011 at 12:59 AM  
  4. ann low said...
    I love bitter melon. Looks so delicious and healthy.
  5. ... on April 23, 2011 at 2:18 AM  
  6. Mary Bergfeld said...
    I am not familiar with your salad but it sounds delicious. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
  7. ... on April 23, 2011 at 10:11 AM  
  8. Xinmei @ Pudding Pie Lane said...
    Woahh, this bitter lemon looks so interesting! Looks good, it would be a great dish to serve because it's quite unusual, but great for the warmer summer weather :)
  9. ... on April 23, 2011 at 7:31 PM  
  10. Biren @ Roti n Rice said...
    I love bitter melon with black bean sauce. This salad with lemon and sesame sounds delicious! I will have to give it a try.
  11. ... on April 24, 2011 at 1:30 AM  
  12. Victor said...
    We usually have bitter melon with black bean sauce at home. I never diversify myself with bitter melon. Looks something to explore.
  13. ... on April 24, 2011 at 3:23 AM  
  14. Cooking Gallery said...
    I rarely eat bitter gourds. Normally I eat it with fish cakes and peanut sauce;). Another version that I like is to eat it with spicy stir-fried shrimps.
  15. ... on April 24, 2011 at 7:26 AM  
  16. Gwen said...
    They're so cute! ;) I don't think I've ever seen bitter melon here in Az. But I'll keep an eye out for them. Thx for the health info. Also for the great feedback on Simply Healthy Family.
  17. ... on April 24, 2011 at 7:47 AM  
  18. Food Glorious Food! said...
    Always like bitter melon but never knew can be cooked this way! Thanks for sharing! Thanks for dropping by blog earlier and I am following you now :)
  19. ... on April 24, 2011 at 2:42 PM  
  20. Unknown said...
    Bitter gourd is one of my husband's favorite vegetable but for some reason, I can't ever cook it to his liking! Maybe I should try your salad and I'm sure both hubby and I will love it!
  21. ... on April 24, 2011 at 5:17 PM  
  22. Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...
    I am ok with this salad but kids will not appreciate it. A healthy and refreshing salad. You too have a great Easter day.
  23. ... on April 24, 2011 at 7:56 PM  
  24. Angie's Recipes said...
    Haven't had bitter gourd for ages!!! Yours looks really refreshing!
  25. ... on April 24, 2011 at 10:43 PM  
  26. chow and chatter said...
    thanks for visiting my blog, I am sure I have been here before, fun way to make kerala often eaten in Indian cuisine as well
  27. ... on April 25, 2011 at 5:27 AM  
  28. Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...
    You know my mom loves stirfried bitter melon but I could never stand it except fried with a lot of eggs. With yummy sesame dressing though, I'm ready to give it another chance.
  29. ... on April 25, 2011 at 2:29 PM  
  30. Quay Po Cooks said...
    I just cooked bitter gourd with salted eggs a few days ago. This looks another way to servev bitter gourd.
  31. ... on April 25, 2011 at 10:38 PM  
  32. briarrose said...
    What a neat dish.
  33. ... on April 26, 2011 at 8:31 AM  
  34. Magic of Spice said...
    I have never tried bitter melon, but this salad looks so good!
  35. ... on April 28, 2011 at 8:05 AM  
  36. Reeni said...
    I never saw bitter melons before! They are so pretty - like flowers. I would love to try them!
  37. ... on April 28, 2011 at 9:54 AM  
  38. daphne said...
    it's hubby fruit vege but this is the first tiem I have seen it as a salad before!
  39. ... on April 28, 2011 at 10:05 AM  
  40. Spoon and Chopsticks said...
    Thanks for all the comments.

    @Biren and @Victor: I've never tried bitter melon with black bean sauce. Something for me to explore.

    @Cooking Gallery: Bitter melon with fish cakes and peanut sauce? That's interesting too.
  41. ... on May 2, 2011 at 3:01 PM  
  42. gourmetorange said...
    Thank you for the new idea, really creative.
    I only know 2 ways to cook bittermelon =)
    with pork ribs & black bean sauce .. or with just with egg.
  43. ... on May 7, 2011 at 10:39 PM  
  44. Its Dita ^-* said...
    wahaaa I missed this post! I dont know you cook bitter melon, we call it Paria here in Indo. Its has lots of health benefit but I dont always dare to eat it- I cant stand the bitter taste of it hahah so I always buy cooked bitter melon instead cooking it myself. Here, they use turmeric,red union,garlic,chili pepper,hazelnut,sugar and of course salt- all blended then cooked with 2 ts of coconut oil and water. They also soak the bitter melon into water mixed with whiting first to reduce the bitter before cooking it,so they told me. Well I just note it but never tried to cook it tho hehehe. I thought maybe you might want to try it with Indo recipe:)
  45. ... on May 9, 2011 at 1:33 AM  
  46. Spoon and Chopsticks said...
    @gourmetorange: I haven't heard of bitter melon with pork ribs. That's something new to me. Thanks for your comment.

    @Dita: How are you doing? Thanks for dropping by. The Indo recipe sounds delicious with those great ingredients. I might give it a try. Thanks for sharing.
  47. ... on May 10, 2011 at 9:37 PM  
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