CanHOPE is a non-profit cancer counselling and support service provided by Parkway Cancer Centre, Singapore.
Recipes
Mee Pok with Minced Pork and Bitter Gourd
SERVES 4
150g minced pork
1½ teaspoon salt
1½ tablespoons cornstarch mixed into 1½ tablespoons cold water
100g bitter gourd (Use the large ones. Small bitter gourds are very bitter.)
2 nests of fresh mee pok noodles (Sold in the refrigerated section in supermarkets.)
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
½ cup water
2 spring onions, finely chopped
DIRECTIONS
- In a small bowl, mix the minced pork with ½ teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of the cornstarch mixture. Set aside.
- Cut the bitter gourd in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds and white pith with a spoon. Cut into thin slices. Put the gourd in a bowl and sprinkle with a teaspoon of salt, massaging it in to remove excess bitterness. Let sit for 15 minutes or so, then rinse off the salt and drain well. Set aside.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, drop in the noodles and swish them around with wooden chopsticks to prevent them from sticking to the pot. It will take no more than 1 minute to cook the mee pok, so have a colander ready. When they are done, pour the noodles into the colander, rinse them in cold water, and drain well. Set aside.
- Heat a wok and pour in the canola oil. Toss in the garlic, stir-frying until fragrant and then, add the seasoned minced pork, cooking until its colour has changed—about 3 minutes. Then, add the bitter gourd and cook for a further 3 minutes before seasoning with the soy and oyster sauces. Add the water. When it comes to a boil, stir in the remainder of the cornstarch mixture (depending on how thick you like your sauce, you may not need to use all of it) until the sauce has thickened slightly. Add the noodles and mix well, letting it braise for a couple of minutes. Garnish with spring onion and serve.
Other Notes:
If you want to reduce the bitterness of the gourd even more, just drop it into boiling water for a couple of minutes after rinsing off the salt.
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Wall of Hope
I’M A SURVIVOR My name is Andi and I'm a cancer survivor.Back in 2004 when I was 16 yo, I was diagnosed with Leiomyosarcoma, it was at the right side of my buttock. Surgery, radiation and also chemotherapy was done at that time. Then in 2009 it relapsed around the same area. In 2022 it relapsed on my right thigh, and again in 2024 it relapsed this time on my left thigh with different type of cancer. Be thankful to GOD, and always believe that He is able to heal us and help us. Andi IN MEMORY OF she touched our lives with her kindness, and no nonsence personality, she will be and is already greatly missed. Karri Hammond IN MEMORY OF Papa, although you’ve passed on 7 years you are still fondly remembered. You’ve taught me many things eg being brave to drive on the road when I got my driving licence and keeping the family together especially during your last stage of life. The many weekends and days that we spent visiting you at the hospice and nursing home helped to bring our family closer. Appreciating family relationships and a good bonding time for all of us. May you be well and happy. 🌷 Papa Chua CT IN MEMORY OF Thanks for all the memories! You are a warrior! IN HONOUR OF You fought hard my dear. You did well! Nicole I’M A SURVIVOR Diagnosed breast cancer in 2010, mastectomy was done, undergone chemotherapy, radiotherapy and also oral. Lucky to have so many friends and family members around me, who gave me so much hope and encouragement. Also attended the CanHOPE support group, where we shared experiences during the sharing session. I also assist to set up Line Dancing sessions for cancer patients since 2011 till now. Stay happy and positive. Patricia Tham Lai Kuan IN MEMORY OF Those we have lost IN HONOUR OF All Survivors. Continue the fight! IN HONOUR OF Jamilah A. I’M A SURVIVOR Cancer very disruptive!! Turned my life upside down. From a focused and down-to-earthperson, I became someone lacking in confident, confused and full of emotions. I hated theword “Strong”. “Be strong”, “Stay strong”, “You are strong”, “Thought you are strong”, blah,blah…. Never an easy journey!!But when you trust, submit and be a true slave to the only ONE, things will get easier. Seekhelp. Make authentic decision for yourself and no one else. Never give up HOPE!! Rose