MEAN CHEF'S DRY-FRIED CHINESE EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) NUGGETS

Mean Chef's Dry-Fried Chinese Eggplant (Aubergine) Nuggets image

Provided by Sarah

Categories Chinese

Time 35m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 teaspoons ginger, minced
4 teaspoons garlic, minced
1/3 cup scallion, thin sliced
1 teaspoon Chinese chili sauce
1 tablespoon dried shrimp, soaked in hot water and drained
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons hot water
4 -5 tablespoons corn or 4 -5 tablespoons peanut oil
1 1/2 lbs Chinese eggplants, tipped and roll-cut into nuggets about 1 inch long
thin-sliced scallion, for garnish

Steps:

Combine aromatics.
Combine sauce ingredients.
Heat large heavy skillet.
Add 3 tbs.
oil and swirl to glaze pan.
Reduce heat to moderate.
Add aromatics, stir gently 20-30 seconds- do not brown.
Add eggplant, toss to combine.
Adjust heat so eggplant cooks without scorching.
Drizzle in more oil as needed to keep from sticking, but beware that eggplant will absorb oil.
Stir sauce and add to pan.
Toss well to combine.
Bring liquid to simmer, cover pan, and simmer until liquid is 90% absorbed, 2-3 minutes.
Serve hot, tepid, or cold.
Garnish with scallion rings.