Stuffed Bitter Melon

• Bitter melon, washed, halved, and seeded
• Fish meat, minced
• Fermented black beans (dau see)
• Garlic

Season fish with grated ginger, salt, white pepper, a dash of oil, and a bit of cornstarch; stir well to make a stiff and homogenous paste. Blanch bitter melon; drain. When cool enough to handle chop into large squares. Dust inner surface with cornstarch, then spread with fish paste.

Mash together equal parts minced garlic and fermented black beans, using 1 to 2 teaspoons of each per bi