YU HSIANG EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• The small purple Asian eggplant is best but the western dark skinned variety (large or baby) can be used be used.
• If using the western eggplant you may want to peel the skin since it has a tendency to be quite tough.
• These are called mu-er in Chinese.
• This is the fungus used in mu shu pork.
• Variously known in English as wood ears, tree ears or cloud ears, it is strictly a texture food and has no flavor at all.
• They must be soaked for 15 minutes in boiling water before use.
• The stem is very tough and must be removed.
• Mu-er increase up to four times in size when soaked so a little goes a long way.
• Chinese red vinegar is best but unseasoned rice vinegar, or plain or cider vinegar work fine.
• Have a bowl handy lined with a sieve.
• Heat oil in wok to very hot.
• Carefully stir in eggplant and cook, stirring constantly, until half done.
• Pour contents into the sieve-lined bowl to drain.
• (You may want to press down on it slightly since eggplant soaks up a lot of oil).
• The oil can be strained and reserved for other uses.
• Reheat the wok with a little more oil and stir fry the garlic, ginger and scallions for about 30 seconds- until they give off a strong aroma.
• Add the mu-er, water chestnuts and bamboo; stir fry about a minute.
• Stir in the sauce ingredients.
• When it begins to boil thicken it slightly by adding a little of the cornstarch mixture at a time.
• When it reaches the desired thickness (it takes very little time) stir in the cooked eggplant.
• Continue to stir and cook for about a minute.
• Stir in a few drops of sesame oil and serve immediately.
• Serves 3 or 4 as part of a multicourse Chinese dinner.