Baked Spinach Goya
Baked Spinach Goya is a delightful vegetarian Japanese dish that combines the earthy flavors of spinach with the unique bitterness of goya (bitter melon). Topped with a creamy sauce and baked to perfection, it offers a comforting yet nutritious meal.

45 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Japanese
320 kcal
Ingredients
- Fresh spinach - 200 grams
- Goya (bitter melon) - 100 grams
- Firm tofu - 150 grams
- Soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
- Sesame oil - 1 tablespoon
- Garlic (minced) - 2 cloves
- Ginger (grated) - 1 teaspoon
- Egg - 1 large
- Panko breadcrumbs - 50 grams
- Grated cheese (optional) - 50 grams
- Salt - to taste
- Black pepper - to taste
Steps
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Wash and chop the spinach; set aside.
- Slice the goya in half, remove the seeds, and thinly slice it.
- In a pan, heat sesame oil over medium heat and sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant.
- Add the chopped spinach and goya to the pan, cooking until the spinach is wilted and the goya is slightly tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Crumble the tofu into the pan and stir in soy sauce, mixing well. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
- In a bowl, beat the egg and add it to the tofu mixture, stirring to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread it evenly.
- Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top, followed by grated cheese if using.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 18 g
- Carbs: 28 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
- Total Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Water: 0.3 L
Health Benefits
- Rich in vitamins A, C, and K from spinach.
- Goya is known for its potential blood sugar-lowering effects.
Tags
JapaneseVegetarianBaked Dish