Ginataang Ampalaya na may Takal

One of the few things I don't dare to cook is a recipe that requires some coconut milk in it. As I mentioned on my previous posts, this is because I have this notion that there is a certain way you cook food with coconut milk. However, hanging around with a family who came from a place where "guinataan" recipes are abundant, and thus expert in doing so, you might see The Easy Kitchen feature more and more guinataan recipes in the future. 

Recipe inspired by Elmo's Kitchen

Ingredients:

2 pcs. large ampalaya (sliced into strips)

2 bundles string beans (cut in 1 ½ to 2 in. long)

1 clove garlic (chopped)

1 pc. Onion (chopped)

2 pcs. tomatoes

Cooking oil

1 ½ cups gata (coconut milk)

1 cup takal (takal is a seafood ingredient similar to oyster)

(when in Bicol, takal is usually already boiled and cooked)

2 pcs siling haba / finger chillies  (coarsely chopped)

Salt and seasoning

How to cook:

• In a small pan, saute garlic, onions and takal. Set aside.
• In a small pot, put together the ampalaya (bitter melon), string beans, tomatoes and coarsely chopped finger chillies and add the coconut milk. 
• Bring to simmer until vegetable is half done. (Do not overcook)
• Add salt and seasoning to taste.
• Add the sauteed takal and simmer again for a minute or two.
• Serve and Eat with white rice.