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.

Baked Spinach Goya
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

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Wash and chop the spinach; set aside.
  3. Slice the goya in half, remove the seeds, and thinly slice it.
  4. In a pan, heat sesame oil over medium heat and sauté garlic and ginger until fragrant.
  5. 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.
  6. Crumble the tofu into the pan and stir in soy sauce, mixing well. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
  7. In a bowl, beat the egg and add it to the tofu mixture, stirring to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  8. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread it evenly.
  9. Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top, followed by grated cheese if using.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
  11. 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