Breakfast Delight: How My Friend Jackie Cooked Sauteed Ampalaya with a Gourmet Bulad Twist at Casa Hills Antipolo

If you're a fan of Filipino breakfast dishes, then you’ll love this simple yet delicious recipe for Sauteed Ampalaya (bitter melon). During our recent staycation at Casa Hills Antipolo, my friend Jackie was assigned to cook breakfast, and she whipped up an unforgettable dish that we couldn’t wait to share with you.

In this vlog, we woke up early to capture every moment of Jackie cooking her signature version of Sauteed Ampalaya with a twist! Not only did she prepare this classic Filipino breakfast, but she also added a surprising touch—gourmet bulad (dried fish)—to elevate the flavor and give it an exciting, savory punch.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sauteed Ampalaya is one of those dishes that perfectly balances the bitterness of the ampalaya with the savory flavors of garlic, onions, and tomatoes. It’s a popular comfort food among Filipinos, and when done right, it’s absolutely delicious! But Jackie took it to the next level by incorporating gourmet bulad, which brought a whole new depth of flavor to the dish.

What You’ll Need for Sauteed Ampalaya with Gourmet Bulad

• 2 medium-sized ampalaya (bitter melon)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 medium-sized tomatoes, chopped
• 1-2 eggs (optional)
• A pinch of gourmet bulad (dried fish), crumbled or cut into pieces
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking oil for sautéing

How Jackie Cooked Sauteed Ampalaya

• Prep the Ingredients: Jackie started by slicing the ampalaya into thin rounds and salting them lightly to reduce their bitterness. She set them aside for about 10 minutes before rinsing them off.

• Saute the Aromatics: In a hot pan, Jackie added a bit of oil, then sautéed the garlic, onions, and tomatoes until fragrant and softened. The aroma of the sautéed garlic and onions filled the kitchen—just the perfect start to any breakfast!

• Add the Ampalaya: After the aromatics were nicely softened, Jackie added the ampalaya to the pan and cooked them on medium heat. She stirred frequently to ensure that the ampalaya absorbed all the savory flavors from the garlic, onion, and tomato mixture.

• Add  an Egg (Optional): For an added touch of richness, Jackie cracked an egg into the pan and stirred it in with the ampalaya and bulad. The egg added a creamy texture that complemented the dish beautifully.

• The Twist—Gourmet Bulad: To make this dish even more exciting, Jackie added the gourmet bulad. This special dried fish variety brought an incredible umami flavor to the dish. The slightly salty, savory taste of the bulad balanced the bitterness of the ampalaya, giving the dish an unforgettable depth of flavor.

• Season and Serve: Once the dish was cooked to perfection, Jackie seasoned it with salt and pepper to taste, ensuring everything was perfectly balanced. She served it hot, with fried  rice on the side for a filling and satisfying breakfast.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

This dish is not only easy to make but also incredibly healthy and packed with flavor. Sauteed Ampalaya is known for its many health benefits, including helping lower blood sugar levels and boosting your immune system. By adding gourmet bulad, Jackie added a protein boost that made the dish even more delicious and filling.

If you're looking for a unique twist on a classic Filipino breakfast, this is definitely the recipe to try! It’s perfect for family breakfasts, staycations, or even when you want to impress your friends with something different. And of course, this dish can easily be adjusted to suit your taste—whether you want it spicier or with more bulad!

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