Name: Rellenong Ampalaya
Ingredients: 3 ampalaya; 1 tbsp salt; hot water; 3 tbsp cornstarch; ½ kg ground pork; 10 medium shirmp; 2 tbsp garlic; 2 small red onion; 1 ½ tbsp ginger; 1 spring onion stalk; 1 medium carrot; 1 ½ tbsp soy sauce; 1 ½ tbsp sesame oil; 1 egg; 2 tbsp cornstarch; salt; ground black pepper; 2 tbsp oil; 1 tbsp garlic; 2 tbsp red onion; 1 cup chicken broth; 2 tbsp oyster sauce; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water

Prepare ampalaya

1

Cut ampalaya into very thick rings and remove the seeds, hollowing out the center.

Soak ampalaya

2

In a bowl, dissolve salt in the hot water and to sans soak ampalaya rings in it for about 20 minutes, washing them in the salted water to lessen the bitterness. Rinse well in running water a few times to wash off the salt. Pat dry.

Make filling

3

In a food processor, add all the filling ingredients and season with salt and pepper. Pulse everything until sticky paste forms.

Stuff ampalaya

4

Take the filling and stuff the ampalaya rings, making sure to pack the filling tightly. Dredge the stuffed ampalaya rings lightly in cornstarch. Repeat for remaining filling and ampalaya rings.

Fry

5

In a pan over medium-high heat, lightly pan fry the stuffed ampalaya rings in the oil for about 3 minutes on each side. Remove from pan.

Make sauce

6

In the same pan, saute the garlic and onion until the onions soften. Add chicken broth, oyster sauce, and brown sugar. Mix until sugar dissolves.

Braise ampalaya and thicken sauce

7

Add stuffed ampalaya back into the pan and simmer on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, turning the stuffed ampalaya often. Mix in the cornstarch and water mixture to thicken the sauce.