HUNAN EGGPLANT

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Hunan Eggplant image

Insipid eggplant dishes are now a thing of the past! It doesn't look very pretty but the taste more than makes up for it. The most important flavoring ingredient is the chili bean paste so choose a good one that is made with fermented fava beans or a combination with fermented soy beans. The dried shrimp add a lot of flavor but feel free to omit it for a vegetarian version. We made so much that my timing is a guesstimate, please be kind with me!! :)

Provided by Manami

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 40m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 ounces zha cai, minced, drained well to get rid of excess fermenting liquid (pickled mustard tubers)
2 tablespoons dried shrimp, minced
1/4 cup chili bean sauce
3 green onions, white parts only, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon minced ginger or 1 teaspoon grated ginger
4 garlic cloves, minced or 4 garlic cloves, pressed
4 Japanese eggplants or 4 Chinese eggplants
2 tablespoons soy sauce (more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
white pepper
salt
green onion, green part, thinly sliced, garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • Soak the dried shrimp in a few tablespoons of hot water for about 5 minutes; drain, rinse, then mince the shrimp.
  • Cut the eggplant into chunks on the bias.
  • Cut at an angle, then rotate the eggplant a half turn, then cut on the bias again, repeat.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add the chopped zha cai and minced dried shrimp, cook for a minute or two in the hot oil.
  • Add the chili paste, green onions, minced ginger, and minced garlic and cook until the mixture is fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add the eggplant and stir to coat the pieces in the chili mixture, cook for a minute.
  • Add the soy sauce, sugar, white pepper, and about a 1/4 cup of water.
  • Cover and steam until eggplant are tender but not mushy.
  • Stir occasionally, don't be too rough or you'll smash the eggplant.
  • Season to taste with more soy sauce or salt.
  • Garnish with sliced green onions (green part only; serve with brown or white rice.

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