Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant streets of China with our authentic recipe for Chinese Eggplant with Ginger and Scallions. This delectable dish captures the essence of Chinese cuisine, blending tender eggplant, aromatic ginger, and savory scallions in a symphony of flavors.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you step-by-step through the process of creating this classic dish. From selecting the freshest eggplants to mastering the art of stir-frying, we'll ensure your culinary adventure is a resounding success.
Along the way, we'll also introduce you to a treasure trove of other eggplant-based recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the heart of China. From the smoky and spicy Eggplant in Garlic Sauce to the comforting and homely Steamed Eggplant with Minced Pork, each recipe is a testament to the versatility and deliciousness of this humble vegetable.
So, gather your ingredients, prepare your wok, and let's embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.
GRILLED CHINESE EGGPLANT WITH GARLIC AND GINGER SAUCE RECIPE
I tend to find eggplant either crazy delicious, like these eggplant spirals, or totally off putting. I couldn't quite put my finger on why until I tried out this recipe for Chinese eggplant with a garlic and ginger sauce. I...
Provided by Joshua Bousel
Categories Side Dish
Time 45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, rice wine, rice vinegar, honey, and cornstarch. Set aside.
- Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread coals out evenly. Alternatively, set all the burners of a gas grill to high heat. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill, and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate. Bush the eggplant slices with the sesame oil and grill over medium heat until they have softened and the purple color is gone, turning half-way through. Remove to a plate.
- Remove the cooking grate and place your wok directly on top of the coals. Swirl in the canola or peanut oil. If the wok is hot enough, the oil should move quickly around the wok. Add the garlic, ginger, scallions, and chilies. Stir for 10 seconds, until brown and fragrant. Add the eggplant and stir for 1 minute. Stir the sauce and add it to the wok. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until sauce thickens. Remove to a bowl and serve hot or cold.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 151 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 5 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 662 mg, Sugar 10 g, Fat 5 g, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
LIANG BAN QIE ZI (EGGPLANT WITH GARLIC, GINGER AND SCALLIONS)
The Shanghainese dish of seasoned and steamed eggplant is typically served cold, but this version can also be eaten warm or at room temperature. Steaming eggplant is a revelation - it brings out the vegetable's gentle, earthy flavor and creates an astonishingly silky, light texture that soaks up sauces efficiently. Here, the eggplant is topped with an aromatic mix of garlic, ginger and scallions, which release their intoxicating fragrance when hot oil is poured over. Regular globe eggplant is fine, and long Japanese or Chinese eggplant works just as well (use the same weight). A steamer insert, bamboo steamer or stainless steel trivet is a smart investment that makes steaming in a wide, deep skillet simple, but you can also use stainless steel cookie cutters or balls of aluminum foil. Use tamari in place of soy sauce for an easy gluten-free substitution.
Provided by Hetty McKinnon
Categories dinner, weeknight, vegetables, main course, side dish
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Set up a wide, deep skillet or wok with a steamer insert, bamboo steamer or stainless steel trivet (see Tip). Find a heatproof plate that fits into your cooking vessel. Add about 1 to 2 inches of water (making sure it won't touch the bottom of the plate), cover with a lid (or sheet pan or aluminum foil) that fully encloses the steamer, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Meanwhile, slice the eggplant into ½-inch-thick circles, then slice each disk into ½-inch strips. Arrange the eggplant pieces on the heatproof plate, stacking them but leaving some gaps to allow the steam to reach all sides of the eggplant.
- Carefully place the plate of eggplant into the steamer insert or bamboo steamer, or on top of the trivet. Cover and steam for 9 to12 minutes, until the flesh is easily pierced with a fork, but still firm enough to hold its shape. Carefully transfer the eggplant to a colander set in the sink to cool and drain.
- In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, black vinegar, chile crisp and granulated sugar.
- When the eggplant is cool to the touch, transfer it to a shallow serving bowl or a rimmed plate. Pile the garlic, scallions and ginger in the center of the eggplant; don't scatter.
- In a small pan, heat the oil on medium-high for 2 to 3 minutes; the oil is hot enough if it bubbles when a wooden chopstick or spoon is inserted. Very carefully pour the hot oil over the ginger, garlic and scallions; it will sizzle and become very fragrant.
- Pour the soy sauce mixture over the eggplant. Serve warm, at room temperature or cold, with rice.
CHINESE EGGPLANT WITH GINGER AND SCALLIONS
Steps:
- 1. Preheat the grill to medium high heat. Peel the eggplants and cut on the diagonal into 1/4-inch slices. Brush the slices with sesame oil and grill over medium heat for 2 minutes per side or until golden brown. The recipe can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead to this stage. 2. For the sauce, combine the soy sauce, rice wine, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch in a small bowl and stir to mix. 3. Heat a wok (preferably non-stick) over a high flame. Swirl in the canola oil. Add the garlic, ginger, scallion whites, and chilies and stir fry for 10 seconds or until fragrant but not brown. Add the eggplant and stir fry for 1 minute. Stir the sauce and add it to the eggplant. Bring the mixture to a boil; the sauce should thicken. Transfer the eggplant to a platter or bowl and sprinkle with scallion greens. The eggplant can be served hot or cold as an appetizer or vegetable side dish. This rendition calls for grilling the eggplant, which imparts a smoky flavor in addition to dramatically reducing the fat.
GOCHUJANG-GLAZED EGGPLANT WITH FRIED SCALLIONS
Loosely inspired by the Korean banchan gaji bokkeum (stir-fried eggplant), this recipe keeps the eggplant in large pieces and sears it over high heat, yielding beautifully cooked flesh and still-violet skin. Though gaji bokkeum is traditionally soy sauce-based, my mother uses gochujang, the fermented Korean chile paste, for added sweetness and heat. The result is divine: As the sticky red sauce clings to the fried eggplant spears, it caramelizes in the heat of the pan and provides a glossy finish. The real star of this dish, though, is the scallion oil. The tangle of thinly sliced scallions crisps in olive oil, lending its oniony flavor to the oil, which is then used to cook the eggplant. This dish is salty, spicy and sweet - everything you want in a banchan - and tastes great with a bowl of fresh white rice.
Provided by Eric Kim
Categories vegetables, side dish
Time 45m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place the eggplant in a colander set inside a large bowl or the sink. Sprinkle with the salt, toss to combine and let sit for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, add the gochujang, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil and garlic. Whisk to combine, then set aside.
- To a large nonstick skillet, add the olive oil and the white parts of the scallions. Turn the heat to medium and fry the scallions, stirring often, until crispy and evenly browned, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried scallions onto a paper towel.
- Reserve a small handful of raw scallion greens for garnish, then fry the remaining scallion greens in the oil until crispy and lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer fried scallion greens onto a paper towel.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and carefully pour the hot scallion oil into a glass container or measuring cup.
- After the 30 minutes of salting, dry the eggplant segments with a paper towel. Place the skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of the reserved scallion oil.
- When the oil starts to shimmer and you see a wisp of smoke, add half the eggplant, cut sides down, and fry until browned and starting to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip once and cook another minute on the other side. Transfer to a plate, add 2 more tablespoons of scallion oil back to the pan, and repeat to fry the second batch of eggplants. (If you are lucky enough to have any scallion oil left, use it to fry eggs or to dress a salad.)
- Finally, sauce the eggplants: Add the first batch of eggplants back to the pan alongside the second batch. Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour the reserved gochujang sauce over the eggplants. Toss until evenly coated and the gochujang starts to caramelize, about 1 minute.
- Plate the eggplants on a large platter and garnish with the fried scallions and the reserved raw scallion greens. Serve immediately. (To store for later, transfer to a resealable container and keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. This dish tastes great cold, straight out of the fridge, or at room temperature.)
Tips:
- To ensure the best flavor and texture, select fresh, firm eggplants that are free of blemishes.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the eggplant into uniform pieces. This will help them cook evenly.
- Soak the eggplant pieces in cold water for 10-15 minutes before cooking. This will help to remove any bitterness.
- To achieve a crispy texture, pan-fry the eggplant pieces in hot oil until they are golden brown.
- Add ginger and scallions towards the end of cooking to preserve their flavor and aroma.
- Use a combination of light and dark soy sauce to add depth of flavor to the dish.
- Serve the Chinese eggplant with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Conclusion:
Chinese eggplant with ginger and scallions is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. With its combination of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. The addition of ginger and scallions adds a refreshing touch that brightens up the dish. Whether you are a seasoned home cook or a beginner, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. So next time you are looking for a quick and flavorful meal, give Chinese eggplant with ginger and scallions a try!
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