Christmas Island-inspired Vegetable Medley

Ingredients

In this Christmas Island adaptation, we incorporate local ingredients and spices to give the dish a unique twist. We replace the traditional shrimp paste with a locally sourced fish sauce, which adds a distinct umami flavor. Additionally, we enhance the dish with the addition of lime juice, which adds a refreshing tanginess to the medley. These modifications infuse the dish with the flavors and aromas characteristic of Christmas Island cuisine. We alse have the original recipe for Pinakbet, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (470ml) coconut milk 2 cups (470ml) coconut milk
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, sliced 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 eggplant, sliced 1 eggplant, sliced
• 8 okra pods 8 okra pods
• 1 cup pumpkin, cubed 1 cup pumpkin, cubed
• 1 bitter melon, sliced 1 bitter melon, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 15g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 8g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the onions and garlic, and sauté until fragrant and translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the eggplant, okra, pumpkin, and bitter melon to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. 4.
   Pour in the coconut milk, fish sauce, and lime juice. Stir well to combine.
5. 5.
   Add the diced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
7. 7.
   Serve hot with steamed rice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Eggplant — To prevent the eggplant from becoming mushy, make sure to slice it into evenly sized pieces.
• Bitter melon — To reduce the bitterness of the melon, soak the sliced pieces in salted water for 10 minutes before cooking.
• Okra — To retain the okra's crispness, avoid overcooking. Add it to the pan towards the end of the cooking time.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a spicier dish, add a chopped chili pepper to the pan along with the other vegetables.
• For a heartier meal, you can add cooked shrimp or tofu to the vegetable medley.
• Serve the dish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice for an extra burst of flavor.
• Feel free to experiment with other vegetables such as green beans or squash, based on your preference and availability.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Christmas Island-inspired vegetable medley hot with steamed rice. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for added freshness and color.

Presentation advice

Arrange the colorful vegetables on a serving platter, allowing their vibrant hues to shine through. Drizzle some of the flavorful sauce over the top for an enticing presentation.