Mara Pad Kai Tohoo [Bitter Melon and Tofu Omelet]

[Guest guest]

Thanks for mentioning the Bitter Melon ... Mara in Thai. I was introduced to

this great vegetable by a Thai woman I was involved with. It looked strange at

first... but then .. so did the Durian.. and I loved both ... actually all

three. This is a tofu takeoff, Alyssia style of an egg breakfast V would make

for herself. Her's " omeleted " ... mine never seemed to do the same... but

tasted great.

 

Although 'kai' means egg and there are no real eggs in my version of this

recipe, kai was retained. 'kai' also refers to omelets and is used in this

sense.

 

Mara Pad Kai Tohoo [bitter Melon and Tofu Omelet]

 

 

Ingredients

 

One bitter melon (mara) about 8 inches in length

 

the balance x 2

6 oz Firm or Extra firm (refrigerated) Tofu (Nasoya or =)

3 tsp Ener-G Egg Replacer (firmly pressed in tsp when measuring)

4 tsp Water (for egg replacer)

2 Tbs. Unrefined Coconut oil (or virgin olive oil or peanut oil)

1 tsp. Bragg's Liquid Aminos

1/2 tsp Chipped Asian Basil (alternate taste .. 1/2 tsp chopped fresh dill

weed)

 

Cut the bitter melon in half lengthwise, removing the seeds. Then slice one of

the halves crosswise in thin slivers.

 

Place firm or extra firm tofu in a chopper with liquid amonos and basil leaves,

Ener-G replacerf & water. Fine chop.

 

Using a stainless steel skillet, add the oil and heat. Add the bitter melon and

sauté in the oil for about two minutes or until the melon starts to soften.

Spread the melon pieces evenly across the pan's surface. Pour the beaten tofu

mix evenly over the melon pieces. Cook for about a minute, then flip the mixture

over to cook the other side. Cook till the mix reaches your desired consistancy

 

Serves 2 as breakfast .. or 3 as a side dish

 

Repeat the above with the second half of the mara

 

 

If you eat eggs...

 

replace the Tofu and Ener-G + water with 4 eggs. Add the Aminos to the mara

just before pouring the scrambled egg over the sautéd melon. Stir the melon,

spread evenly, add egg mix ... follow the above ... Cook egg/mara omelet till

browned lightly on both sides.