Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce (红烧茄子)

Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce (红烧茄子)

from omnivorescookbook.com
40 min

The eggplant is grilled until crispy and smoky, and then cooked in a rich savory garlic sauce. This vegan dish is very satisfying, both as a side or a main dish served over rice or noodles.To make the dish gluten-free, use tamari or coconut amino to replace light soy sauce and dark soy sauce.

Ingredients

  • 2 (10 oz. / 300 g) small Chinese long eggplant , chopped to bite-size pieces (*Footnote 1)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Sauce (*footnote 2)
  • 1 tablespoon light soy sauce (or soy sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/2 teaspoon dark soy sauce (*see footnote 3)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • Stir-fry
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
  • 1 teaspoon ginger , minced
  • 3 cloves garlic , chopped

Directions

  1. 1

  2. 2

    (Option 1) Place eggplant in a large bowl and add water to cover. Add 1 teaspoon salt, mix well. Place a pot lid on top to keep the eggplant under water for 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry.

  3. 3

    (Option 2) Spread the sliced eggplant out on a paper towel. Sprinkle Kosher salt on both sides of the eggplant slices. Allow to rest for 45-60 minutes. Pat dry without rinsing.

  4. 4

    Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl, mix well.

  5. 5

    Sprinkle eggplant with 1 tablespoon cornstarch and mix by hand, until eggplant is evenly coated with with a thin layer of cornstarch.

  6. 6

    Add 2 tablespoons oil to a big nonstick skillet and heat over medium high heat until hot. Spread eggplant across the bottom of the skillet without overlapping. Cook the eggplant one side at a time until all the surfaces are charred and the eggplant turns soft, 8 to 10 minutes in total. Transfer the eggplants to a plate. If the skillet gets too hot and starts to smoke, turn to medium heat.

  7. 7

    Add the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil, the ginger and garlic into the same skillet. Stir a few times until fragrant. Add all the eggplant back into the skillet. Mix the sauce again until cornstarch is fully dissolved and pour it over the eggplant. Immediately stir a few times, until the eggplant is evenly coated and the sauce thickens. Transfer everything to a big plate.

  8. 8

    Serve hot as a side or as main over steamed rice or noodles.