**Ampalaya con Tausi: A Savory and Unique Filipino Stir-Fry with Bitter Melon and Fermented Black Beans**
**Ampalaya con Tausi** is a beloved Filipino dish that showcases the unique and slightly bitter flavor of **ampalaya** (bitter melon) paired with the savory depth of **tausi** (fermented black beans). This dish is a great example of how Filipino cuisine balances strong, contrasting flavors—bitter, salty, and umami—to create something truly special. The combination of bitter melon’s distinct taste with the salty, briny umami of the fermented black beans creates a complex and satisfying dish that has a loyal following among those who enjoy a bit of boldness in their meals.
**What is Ampalaya?**
**Ampalaya** (also known as bitter melon or bitter gourd) is a unique vegetable that is commonly used in Asian and Filipino cuisine. As its name suggests, ampalaya is known for its distinctive bitterness, which can be an acquired taste. Despite its bitterness, ampalaya is highly nutritious, rich in vitamins (like Vitamin C), antioxidants, and minerals. It is often used in various dishes in the Philippines, such as **sinigang**, **ginisang ampalaya**, and **ampalaya con carne**.
Ampalaya is most commonly prepared by removing its seeds and slicing it into thin rings or strips. To reduce some of its bitterness, it is often salted or blanched before cooking, though the characteristic bitterness is usually retained in most recipes.
**What is Tausi?**
**Tausi** (fermented black beans) is a popular ingredient in Filipino and Chinese cooking. These small, dark beans are fermented, which gives them a salty, umami-rich flavor. Tausi is often used in stir-fries, stews, and sauces to add a deep, savory flavor that enhances the taste of other ingredients. The fermentation process imparts a unique tang and richness to the beans, making them a perfect complement to the bitterness of ampalaya in this dish.
Tausi is often sold in jars or cans, and the beans are typically soaked in a salty brine. In cooking, the beans are either mashed or used whole to flavor various dishes.
**Why Ampalaya con Tausi is a Special Dish**
**Ampalaya con Tausi** is a flavorful and nutritious stir-fry dish that combines the bold bitterness of ampalaya with the savory, salty depth of fermented black beans. The bitterness of ampalaya is balanced by the umami richness of the tausi, creating a dish that is complex and satisfying. Often paired with rice, this dish makes a perfect side dish or even a main course when combined with meat such as pork or shrimp. It is a great example of how Filipino cuisine embraces the harmony of contrasting flavors, and it is a favorite for those who appreciate strong, robust tastes.
**Ingredients for Ampalaya con Tausi**
This dish is quite simple to make and uses ingredients that are readily available in most Filipino kitchens or Asian grocery stores. Below are the key ingredients needed:
**For the Stir-Fry:**
– **2 medium-sized ampalaya (bitter melon)** – Thinly sliced or cut into strips. Make sure to remove the seeds and scrape out the white pulp for a less bitter flavor.
– **2 tablespoons fermented black beans (tausi)** – Drained and mashed lightly with a fork or mortar and pestle.
– **2 cloves garlic** – Minced for flavor.
– **1 medium onion** – Sliced thinly.
– **2 medium tomatoes** – Chopped (optional, but adds a slight sweetness and depth).
– **1 tablespoon soy sauce** – For added saltiness and umami flavor.
– **1/2 tablespoon oyster sauce** – Optional, but enhances the savory depth of the dish.
– **1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper** – To season.
– **2 tablespoons vegetable oil** – For stir-frying.
– **1/2 cup water** – To help cook the ampalaya and create a slight sauce for the stir-fry.
– **1/2 teaspoon sugar** – Optional, but helps balance the bitterness of the ampalaya.
#### **For Optional Protein:**
– **1/2 lb. pork (sliced thinly)** – You can also use pork belly, shoulder, or even ground pork for a more hearty version.
– **Shrimp** – Alternatively, you can add shrimp for a lighter, seafood variation.
– **Tofu** – For a vegetarian version, tofu can be used in place of meat.
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**How to Cook Ampalaya con Tausi**
Cooking **Ampalaya con Tausi** is relatively simple and quick, and it results in a dish full of rich, balanced flavors. Below is a step-by-step guide to preparing this dish:
**Step 1: Prepare the Ampalaya (Bitter Melon)**
1. **Slice the ampalaya**: Cut the ends off the ampalaya and slice it into thin rings or strips. Remove the seeds and scrape out the white pith inside, which is the most bitter part of the vegetable. Some people choose to salt the ampalaya to draw out excess water and reduce bitterness. To do this, sprinkle the sliced ampalaya with salt and let it sit for about **10-15 minutes**, then rinse it under cold water. This step is optional, but it can help tone down the bitterness.
2. **Set aside**: After the ampalaya has been prepared, set it aside to dry.
**Step 2: Prepare the Tausi (Fermented Black Beans)**
1. **Mash the tausi**: Drain the fermented black beans (tausi) and lightly mash them with a fork or mortar and pestle. Mashing them slightly helps release their rich flavor into the dish as it cooks.
**Step 3: Stir-Fry the Aromatics**
1. **Heat the oil**: In a large pan or wok, heat the **vegetable oil** over medium heat.
2. **Cook the garlic and onions**: Add the **minced garlic** and **sliced onions** to the pan, sautéing them until they become fragrant and translucent, about **2-3 minutes**. If you’re using **tomatoes**, add them at this stage and cook until they soften and release their juices.
3. **Add the tausi**: Stir in the **mashed fermented black beans** and cook them for about **2-3 minutes**, allowing them to infuse the oil with their rich, savory flavor.
**Step 4: Add the Ampalaya and Seasonings*
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1. **Add the ampalaya**: Once the tausi is fragrant, add the prepared **ampalaya** to the pan. Stir-fry for about **3-5 minutes** until the ampalaya starts to soften but still retains some of its crunch. The goal is to cook the ampalaya just enough to reduce its bitterness without losing its texture.
2. **Season the dish**: Add **soy sauce**, **oyster sauce** (optional), **black pepper**, and a pinch of **sugar** (optional, to balance the bitterness of the ampalaya). Stir everything together to evenly coat the ampalaya in the seasoning mixture.
3. **Add water**: Pour in the **water**, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for another **3-5 minutes**, or until the ampalaya is tender and the sauce has reduced slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more soy sauce or salt if necessary.
**Step 5: Optional Protein**
If you want to add a protein to the dish, such as **pork** or **shrimp**, you can incorporate them at this stage. For **pork**, stir-fry the slices in the pan with the aromatics before adding the ampalaya. For **shrimp**, add them towards the end of the cooking process, as they cook quickly.
**Step 6: Serve**
Once everything is cooked and well-seasoned, transfer the dish to a serving platter. **Ampalaya con Tausi** is best served hot, ideally alongside a bowl of steamed rice to balance the strong flavors of the dish.
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**Why You’ll Love Ampalaya con Tausi**
1. **Unique Flavor Profile**: The bitterness of the ampalaya is beautifully counterbalanced by the salty umami of the fermented black beans, making this dish a standout in terms of flavor complexity.
2. **Healthy and Nutritious**: Ampalaya is full of vitamins and antioxidants, making this dish a healthy choice. If you add protein such as pork or shrimp, the dish becomes even more filling and well-rounded.
3. **Simple Ingredients**: Despite its complex flavor, **Ampalaya con Tausi** is made with simple, affordable ingredients that are easy to find in most grocery stores, especially in Asian or Filipino markets.
4. **Versatile**: You can customize this dish to suit your preferences by adding different types of protein (tofu for a vegetarian version, or pork, shrimp, or chicken for meat lovers). You can also adjust the bitterness of the ampalaya depending on how much it is salted or blanched before cooking.
5. **Comforting and Hearty**: This dish has a hearty, savory quality that pairs well with a steaming bowl of rice, making it a perfect comfort food for a satisfying meal.
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**Tips and Variations**
– **Use Shrimp or Tofu**: If you want a lighter version of this dish, shrimp is a great protein to add, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.
– **Adjust the Bitterness**: If you find the bitterness of the ampalaya too strong, you can soak it in salted water for a longer period, or blanch it briefly before cooking to remove some of the### **Ampalaya con Tausi: A Bold and Flavorful Filipino Stir-Fry**
**Ampalaya con Tausi** is a classic Filipino dish that blends the bold bitterness of **ampalaya** (bitter melon) with the rich, savory umami flavor of **tausi** (fermented black beans). This dish is a great representation of how Filipino cuisine uses contrasting flavors to create a harmonious balance. The bitterness of the ampalaya is mellowed out by the salty and earthy taste of tausi, resulting in a dish that is both unique and flavorful.
**What is Ampalaya?**
**Ampalaya**, known as **bitter melon** or **bitter gourd**, is a vegetable with a distinct, sharp bitterness that gives it its name. In Filipino cuisine, ampalaya is often featured in dishes where its bitterness is either balanced or complemented by other strong flavors. Nutritionally, ampalaya is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, making it a healthy addition to meals. It’s particularly popular in **sautéed** dishes like **ginisang ampalaya** or **ampalaya con carne**, and even in **sinigang** (a sour soup) for a more complex taste.
Ampalaya has a unique texture, crisp yet tender when cooked, and it absorbs the flavors of whatever it’s cooked with, which makes it perfect for stir-frying with bold ingredients like tausi.
**What is Tausi?**
**Tausi** refers to **fermented black beans**, a staple ingredient in Filipino cooking, especially in Chinese-influenced dishes. These small, dark beans are fermented in brine or soy sauce, which results in a strong, umami-rich flavor with a salty, tangy kick. Tausi is commonly used to flavor stir-fries, braised dishes, and soups. The beans themselves can be used whole, mashed, or crushed to release their intense savory flavor.
In **Ampalaya con Tausi**, tausi helps balance the bitterness of the ampalaya, giving the dish a savory depth and a satisfying salty component.
**Why Ampalaya con Tausi is Special**
**Ampalaya con Tausi** is an excellent example of Filipino home cooking, where simple ingredients are transformed into a deliciously complex dish. The bitterness of the ampalaya, which some may find too strong on its own, is mellowed by the salty and rich fermented black beans, making the dish more approachable without losing its character. This dish is also very customizable: you can add pork, shrimp, or even tofu, depending on your preference. It’s a perfect side dish to a meal, but it can also stand as a main course when paired with rice.
### **Ingredients for Ampalaya con Tausi**
Here’s what you’ll need to make this savory stir-fry dish:
**For the Stir-Fry:**
– **2 medium-sized ampalaya (bitter melon)** – Thinly sliced into rings or strips. To lessen the bitterness, remove the seeds and scrape out the white pith before slicing.
– **2 tablespoons fermented black beans (tausi)** – Drained and mashed lightly with a fork or pestle.
– **2 cloves garlic** – Minced for flavor.
– **1 medium onion** – Thinly sliced.
– **2 medium tomatoes** – Chopped (optional, but adds a nice balance of sweetness).
– **1 tablespoon soy sauce** – For seasoning.
– **1/2 tablespoon oyster sauce** – Optional, for a touch of extra umami flavor.
– **1/4 teaspoon black pepper** – To taste.
– **2 tablespoons vegetable oil** – For stir-frying.
– **1/2 cup water** – To help cook the ampalaya and create a slight sauce.
– **1/2 teaspoon sugar** – Optional, to help counterbalance the bitterness of the ampalaya.
**For Optional Protein:**
– **1/2 lb. pork** – Sliced thinly or chopped (pork belly or shoulder works well).
– **Shrimp** – Alternatively, shrimp can be added for a lighter version.
– **Tofu** – A vegetarian option, cut into cubes and fried lightly.
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**How to Make Ampalaya con Tausi**
Making **Ampalaya con Tausi** is fairly simple and doesn’t require many ingredients. The key to success is to balance the bitterness of the ampalaya with the savory depth of the tausi and other seasonings. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making this Filipino stir-fry:
**Step 1: Prepare the Ampalaya**
1. **Slice the ampalaya**: Start by cutting off both ends of the ampalaya. Slice it into thin rings or strips. For less bitterness, remove the seeds and scrape out the white pith with a spoon before slicing.
2. **Optional salting**: To lessen the bitterness of the ampalaya, sprinkle it with salt and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This helps draw out excess moisture. After that, rinse the slices under cold water to remove the salt and pat them dry.
**Step 2: Prepare the Tausi**
1. **Mash the tausi**: Drain the fermented black beans (tausi) and lightly mash them with a fork or a mortar and pestle. The mashed tausi will release more flavor and blend seamlessly into the stir-fry.
**Step 3: Stir-Fry the Aromatics**
1. **Heat the oil**: Heat **vegetable oil** in a large pan or wok over medium heat.
2. **Sauté the garlic and onions**: Add the minced garlic and sliced onions to the pan. Sauté them until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes. If using tomatoes, add them at this point and cook until they soften and release their juices.
3. **Add the tausi**: Stir in the mashed fermented black beans (tausi). Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the beans to infuse the oil with their rich, umami flavor.
**Step 4: Add the Ampalaya and Seasonings**
1. **Add the ampalaya**: Once the tausi is fragrant, add the prepared ampalaya to the pan. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, ensuring that the ampalaya softens but retains some of its crisp texture.
2. **Season the dish**: Add **soy sauce**, **oyster sauce** (optional), and **black pepper**. Stir everything together to coat the ampalaya and tausi with the seasoning. If you find the bitterness too strong, add a pinch of **sugar** to balance the flavors.
3. **Add water**: Pour in the **water** and simmer for another 3-5 minutes. This will help soften the ampalaya further and create a light sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
**Step 5: Optional Protein**
1. **Add protein**: If you’re adding pork, shrimp, or tofu, you can either stir-fry the pork first in the pan, then proceed with the ampalaya and tausi, or simply add the shrimp or tofu towards the end of the cooking process to avoid overcooking them.
**Step 6: Serve**
Once everything is cooked through and the flavors have melded together, transfer the dish to a serving platter. **Ampalaya con Tausi** is best served hot, accompanied by steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
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**Why You’ll Love Ampalaya con Tausi**
1. **Balanced Flavors**: The bitterness of the ampalaya is perfectly balanced by the savory, umami-rich flavor of the tausi. This creates a complex, deeply satisfying taste that is unique and memorable.
2. **Healthy and Nutritious**: Ampalaya is packed with vitamins and minerals, and it’s known for its health benefits, including regulating blood sugar levels and supporting liver health. When combined with the protein (pork, shrimp, or tofu), this dish becomes a wholesome meal.
3. **Quick and Easy**: This dish comes together relatively quickly, especially when using the stir-fry method. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or as a flavorful side dish for special occasions.
4. **Customizable**: You can adjust the bitterness of the ampalaya by salting it or blanching it before cooking. You can also add your choice of protein, from **pork** and **shrimp** to **tofu**, for different variations.
5. **A Comfort Food Classic**: With its rich, savory flavors and the satisfying combination of textures, **Ampalaya con Tausi** is a dish that offers both comfort and excitement, making it a perfect addition to any Filipino meal.
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**Tips and Variations**
– **Reduce Bitterness**: If you find ampalaya too bitter for your taste, try blanching the sliced ampalaya in boiling water for a minute or two before sautéing. This will help mellow its bitterness.
– **Add Heat**: For those who enjoy a bit of spice, you can add **sliced chili peppers** to the stir-fry to give it an extra kick.
– **Use Pork Belly or Ground Pork**: If you prefer a meatier dish, **pork belly** or **ground pork** is a great addition. Fry the pork first, then proceed with the rest of the dish.
– **Make it Vegetarian**: For a completely vegetarian version, use **tofu** or even **tempeh** in place of meat. Make sure to fry the tofu until golden and crispy for added texture.
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**Ampalaya con Tausi** is a dish that highlights the complexity of Filipino flavors—bitter, salty, and umami—all in one plate. Whether enjoyed as a side dish or a main, this dish is an exciting way to experience the bold.
