GRILLED SHRIMP AND EGGPLANT WITH FISH SAUCE AND MINT

Grilled Shrimp and Eggplant With Fish Sauce and Mint image

The nuoc mam brings out the saline character of the shrimp and seems to heighten the sweetness of the eggplant, while the garlic adds its sharp bite, and the mint a cool freshness.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Time 1h

Yield 2 to 3 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

2 1/2 pounds eggplant, scrubbed, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more as needed
1 pound extra large shrimp, shelled
1 large garlic clove
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, plus sprigs for garnish
1 tablespoon nuoc mam or nam pla fish sauce, or to taste

Steps:

Preheat a grill to medium or the oven to 425 degrees. Toss eggplant with 6 tablespoons oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Place in a grill basket, or spread in an even layer on one or two rimmed baking sheets (leave plenty of room between pieces so they can brown). Grill or roast until eggplant softens and browns, about 10 to 20 minutes.
While eggplant cooks, toss shrimp with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Thread shrimp onto skewers if grilling. If roasting, remove baking sheet from oven and add shrimp, stirring well. Return to oven to bake until shrimp is just opaque and eggplant is golden brown, an additional 10 to 12 minutes. Or grill shrimp alongside eggplant until shrimp is cooked and eggplant very soft and brown, 5 to 10 minutes longer.
Using a mortar and pestle or a heavy knife, pound or mince together the garlic and a pinch of salt until a paste forms (if using a knife, use flat side after garlic is minced). In a bowl or platter, toss shrimp, eggplant, garlic paste, mint and fish sauce together. Serve with mint sprigs for garnish.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 525, UnsaturatedFat 31 grams, Carbohydrate 24 grams, Fat 38 grams, Fiber 11 grams, Protein 25 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 1335 milligrams, Sugar 14 grams, TransFat 0 grams