Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey to the heart of Sichuan province, where bold flavors and aromatic spices reign supreme. Discover the vibrant Szechuan Eggplant and Squash, a symphony of textures and flavors that will leave you craving for more. This delightful dish showcases the perfect balance between sweet, sour, spicy, and savory notes, making it a true masterpiece of Szechuan cuisine. Explore variations of this beloved dish, including the classic Szechuan Eggplant, a vegetarian's delight, and the Szechuan Eggplant with Minced Pork, a protein-packed option for meat lovers. Prepare to be captivated by the vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and unforgettable flavors that define Szechuan cuisine.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
SZECHUAN SPICY EGGPLANT
Folks who love spicy food will approve of this fantastic meat and eggplant dish! This is a recipe from my Chinese mother, whose cooking is unsurpassable. Adjust the amount of chili sauce to suit your taste. Serve over hot rice.
Provided by ANGWEN
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Chinese
Time 45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Remove the eggplant stem and cut into 1-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, chicken stock, chili sauce, sugar, ground black pepper and oyster sauce. Stir together well and set aside. In a separate small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water, and set aside.
- Coat a large, deep pan with cooking spray over high heat and allow a few minutes for it to get very hot. Saute the garlic, half of the green onions, ginger and dried shrimp, if using (see Cook's Note) for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until they begin to brown. Stir in the ground beef or pork and cook for 3 more minutes, again stirring constantly, until browned.
- Pour the eggplant into the pan and stir all together. Pour the reserved soy sauce mixture over all, cover the pan, reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you're using fresh shrimp, add it during the last few minutes of cooking. Stir in the reserved cornstarch mixture and let heat until thickened. Finally, stir in the rest of the green onions and the sesame oil.
- Serve over hot rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 440.5 calories, Carbohydrate 61.6 g, Cholesterol 71.3 mg, Fat 12.6 g, Fiber 5.6 g, Protein 20 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 1078.8 mg, Sugar 7.5 g
CRISPY SZECHUAN-STYLE EGGPLANT AND TOFU
Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a shallow dish, combine 2/3 cup of the cornstarch, the salt and pepper. Toss the eggplant pieces in the cornstarch mixture to coat, shaking off the excess; set aside. Repeat the process with the tofu.
- Heat 1/2 inch of the peanut oil in a large, deep, straight-sided skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Working in batches, cook the eggplant first, tossing gently until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining eggplant and the tofu.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, lime juice and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
- Carefully drain the oil from the skillet, and wipe out any residue using paper towels held with tongs. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to the skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the ginger, about 1 teaspoon of the minced chiles (or to taste) and the garlic. Cook, stirring, until just fragrant, about 30 seconds; pour in the chicken stock mixture and bring it to a simmer. Simmer until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the cooked eggplant and tofu to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Stir in the sesame oil and remove from the heat. Serve immediately over rice and garnished with the remaining minced chiles if desired and chopped cilantro.
SZECHWAN EGGPLANT STIR-FRY
Steps:
- Cut the eggplants in 1/2 lengthwise and then slice crosswise into wedges, no more than 1-inch wide.
- Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high flame and add the oils; tilt the pan to coat all sides. When you see a slight smoke, add a layer of eggplant, stir-fry until seared and sticky, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the eggplant to a side platter and cook the remaining eggplant in same manner, adding more oil, if needed.
- After all the eggplant is out of the pan, add the green onions, ginger, garlic, and chile; stir-fry for a minute until fragrant. Add the broth. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch until the sugar and cornstarch are dissolved. Pour the soy sauce mixture into the wok and cook another minute, until the sauce has thickened. Put the eggplant back in the pan, tossing quickly, until the sauce is absorbed. Garnish with sesame seeds, Thai basil, and cilantro and serve.
SZECHUAN EGGPLANT AND SQUASH
A spicy, tangy, delicious, healthy, single serving recipe. I rarely use the exact measurements and it always turns out!
Provided by cjbamboo
Categories Vegetable
Time 15m
Yield 1 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Combine garlic, ginger, broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, Splenda, and chili sauce in wok or fry pan.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add eggplant and squash and cook/saute for 5 minutes or until liquid is mostly absorbed (this is a mushy, soft dish!).
- Reduce heat to low and add tomato.
- Saute for 1 minute to warm tomato.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 151.7, Fat 1.9, SaturatedFat 0.4, Cholesterol 1.2, Sodium 1421.7, Carbohydrate 30.4, Fiber 11.7, Sugar 12.2, Protein 8.1
SZECHUAN EGGPLANT
Chinese Eggplant with Szechuan Sauce with chilies and peanuts- a tasty, easy vegan dinner recipe! Serve with Rice, black rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa or rice noodles.
Provided by Sylvia Fountaine
Categories Main
Time 45m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Cut eggplant into 1/2 inch thick half-moons or into bite-sized pieces ( see photos). Place in a big bowl covered with water and stir in 2 teaspoons salt. Cover with a plate and let stand 20-30 minutes.
- In the meantime, chop the garlic and ginger and make the Szechuan Sauce.
- To make the Szechuan Sauce: Toast the Szechuan peppercorns in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Crush. Place these along with the remaining ingredients ( soy, chili paste, sesame oil, rice vinegar, Chinese cooking wine, sugar, and five spice) in a small bowl and whisk. Set by the stove.
- Drain and rinse the eggplant and pat dry with a towel. Toss with the corn starch.
- heat 1 -2 tablespoons oil in an extra-large skillet over medium heat. Add half the eggplant spreading them out. You want to get both sides nice and golden, and the insides cooked through -so take your time here and dont rush this step. Let one side brown then turn them over using tongs. This will take about 10 minutes for each batch. ( If in a hurry sometimes I'll use 2 pans.) Set the eggplant aside.
- Add 1 more tablespoon oil to the skillet, and over medium heat, add the garlic and ginger, stirring for 2 minutes. Turn the fan on, add the dried chilis and stir one minute. Pour the Szechuan sauce into the pan and bring to a simmer for 20 seconds. Add the eggplant back into the skillet, tossing gently for about 1 minute. If it seems dry add a tablespoon of water to loosen.
- Place in a serving dish and top with scallions and optional peanuts.
- Serve with rice, cauliflower rice, black rice or rice noodles.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 323 calories, Sugar 17.8 g, Sodium 1110.4 mg, Fat 21.8 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 29.6 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 5.9 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
EGGPLANT AND SQUASH ALLA PARMIGIANA
This parmigiana is well suited to red wine and the brisk weather of late September, when eggplant, zucchini and summer squash are still in the farmers' market. The dish can be prepared in advance and reheated.
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories dinner, lunch, pastas, main course
Time 2h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Trim the stems from the eggplant and squash. Slice the vegetables lengthwise, no more than 1/4-inch thick. Spread the slices on one or more cooling racks, dust with salt on both sides and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a 2-quart saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté on low until translucent, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium, add the tomatoes, pepper and bay leaf and cook, breaking up the tomatoes, a few minutes. Reduce heat and simmer the sauce for 20 minutes more. Remove bay leaf and check seasoning.
- Rinse eggplant and squash slices and pat them dry. Dredge lightly with flour. Heat 3 to 4 tablespoons oil in a large skillet. Fry the eggplant and squash until lightly browned, in several shifts, placing fried slices on paper towel to drain.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a 10-inch glass pie plate with oil. Spread a very thin layer of the tomato sauce in the pie plate. Add a layer of the eggplant, cutting slices to fit if necessary. Try to arrange them like spokes of a wheel. Spread a little more sauce over them, then the squash slices, then the mozzarella and another layer of eggplant. Finish with the remaining sauce, the Parmigiano-Reggiano and the parsley.
- Bake about 30 minutes, until bubbling and lightly browned on top. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 317, UnsaturatedFat 17 grams, Carbohydrate 24 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 672 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams
SZECHUAN EGGPLANT AND VEGGIE STIR-FRY
I've never eaten eggplant this way, and it's so good. It gains an almost meaty texture and really makes the dish something special. It's earned a regular rotation on our dinner menu. The ingredients look simple but the flavor is restaurant-quality. For the Szechuan sauce, I use Recipe #72983. It makes double the amount needed for this recipe, so use half and save the rest, or just halve the recipe when making it.
Provided by Jujubegirl
Categories Cauliflower
Time 45m
Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Sprinkle the eggplant slices with a couple tablespoons of salt and let rest 15 minutes. Rinse pieces in lukewarm water.
- Add black pepper and cornstarch to eggplant and toss together to coat the eggplant.
- Heat 2 tbsp oil in a skillet, and add the eggplant until they get soft and brownish (approx 10 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside. (You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet.).
- Steam broccoli, red pepper, onions, and cauliflower until slightly al dente.
- While the veggies are steaming, heat 1 tbsp oil in skillet and add shallots and green chilies. Cook for a couple minutes, then add Szechuan sauce.
- Add the eggplant and the veggies, and cook through, 5-10 minutes. Garnish with chopped peanuts.
Tips:
- To achieve the best flavor and texture, choose fresh and tender eggplants and squashes. Look for eggplants that are firm and have a deep purple color, and squashes that are heavy for their size with smooth, unblemished skin.
- Cut the eggplants and squashes into uniform-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. This will help prevent some pieces from becoming overcooked while others remain undercooked.
- To prevent the eggplant from absorbing too much oil, pat it dry with paper towels before cooking. This will help it crisp up nicely and prevent it from becoming oily and soggy.
- Use a large skillet or wok to cook the eggplant and squash. This will allow them to cook evenly without overcrowding the pan.
- Cook the eggplant and squash over medium-high heat. This will help them brown quickly and develop a slightly caramelized flavor.
- Stir the eggplant and squash frequently while cooking to prevent them from burning. You want them to be tender but still retain a slight crunch.
- Add the sauce and cook until it has thickened. This will help the flavors meld together and create a delicious and flavorful dish.
- Serve the Szechuan eggplant and squash immediately with rice or noodles. This dish is best enjoyed fresh and hot.
Conclusion:
This Szechuan eggplant and squash recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of sweet and savory flavors, along with the tender eggplant and squash, makes for a truly satisfying dish. Whether you are a fan of Szechuan cuisine or simply looking for a new and exciting way to cook eggplant and squash, this recipe is sure to please. So next time you are in need of a quick and tasty meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#15-minutes-or-less #time-to-make #course #main-ingredient #preparation #for-1-or-2 #side-dishes #vegetables #easy #vegan #vegetarian #dietary #squash #number-of-servings
You'll also love