Best Satay Aubergine Skewers Recipes

PORK SATAY WITH THAI SPICES AND PEANUT SAUCE

Pork Satay With Thai Spices and Peanut Sauce image

Throughout Southeast Asia, little skewers of marinated meat, grilled over coals, are sold as street snacks. Sweetly fragrant with coconut milk and spices, they are perfect for barbecue parties served with steamed rice, or on their own with drinks, whether grilled indoors or out. You may use pork loin or tenderloin, but marbled sirloin or shoulder is more succulent.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories finger foods, appetizer

Time 45m

Yield 12 small skewers

Number Of Ingredients 30

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds pork loin, tenderloin or shoulder, sliced into thin rectangles (1/4 inch x 1 inch x 2 inches; you should have about 24 pieces)
1 shallot, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon grated ginger
3 tablespoons chopped lemongrass
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and ground
1 teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted and ground
1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 cup coconut milk
Cilantro and basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
1 pound Persian or Japanese cucumbers, peeled, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 small shallots thinly sliced, about 1/4 cup
2 fresh Thai or serrano chiles, sliced into rounds
1 cup dry roasted peanuts, unsalted
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice, more to taste
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 cup coconut milk

Steps:

Prepare the skewers: Put pork in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together shallot, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne, fish sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, brown sugar and coconut milk, and pour over meat. Toss with your hands to coat well. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Meanwhile, soak 12 bamboo skewers in water.
Prepare the cucumbers: Put cucumbers in a mixing bowl and season with salt. Add lime juice, sugar, shallots and chiles and toss to coat. Let stand for 15 minutes. Check seasoning, then transfer to a serving dish.
Prepare the peanut sauce: Pulse the peanuts briefly in a food processor just until finely ground. Add the garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, cayenne and coconut milk, and process until well puréed. Transfer to a bowl, then taste and adjust seasoning. Thin a bit with lime juice or water as desired.
Thread 2 slices of pork onto each bamboo skewer, keeping the meat as flat as possible. Grill over hot coals, under the broiler or on a stovetop grill pan for 3 minutes on each side, until cooked through and lightly browned. Transfer to a platter and garnish with cilantro and basil leaves. Serve with cucumber relish and peanut sauce.

TOFU-VEGETABLE SATAY WITH PEANUT SAUCE

Tofu-Vegetable Satay With Peanut Sauce image

Caramelized pineapple, tofu and vegetables take center stage in these vegan satay, which are inspired by Indonesian charcoal-grilled skewers. Here, the smoky satay are glazed with sweet and sticky kecap manis, a fermented sweet soy sauce (see Tip), which also flavors the peanut sauce along with garlic, shallots and chile. The sauce is meant to be generously poured over the satay to serve, but any leftovers will last for one week in the refrigerator. The sauce thickens over time, so loosen it with extra water as needed. Serve the satay and peanut sauce with steamed rice or noodles, and a side of stir-fried greens or roast potatoes. To get vegetarian recipes like this one delivered to your inbox, sign up for The Veggie newsletter.

Provided by Lara Lee

Categories vegetables, appetizer, main course

Time 45m

Yield 24 skewers (4 to 6 servings)

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 (14-ounce) package firm tofu, drained
5 large scallions
1 large eggplant (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 large (4-pound) pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
24 (8-inch) bamboo skewers, soaked overnight (or at least 30 minutes)
1/4 cup neutral oil, such as canola
3 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola
2 medium shallots, peeled and sliced
4 long, red, medium-spicy chiles (such as serrano, cayenne or finger chiles), sliced and seeds removed, if you prefer less heat
6 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
2/3 cup/150 grams crunchy peanut butter, natural or conventional
10 tablespoons kecap manis (see Tip)

Steps:

Prepare the satay: Place the tofu in a folded dish towel and gently press to remove excess liquid. Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes.
Cut the thicker white and light green stalks of the scallions into 1-inch pieces. Thinly slice the thinner, dark green scallion stalks on the diagonal and reserve for the garnish.
Make the peanut sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add shallots, chiles and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a food processor or blender. Add the peanut butter, 5 tablespoons kecap manis and ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon water, and blend until almost smooth. (It makes about 1 ½ cups.) Transfer sauce to a small bowl. (If the sauce thickens, add more water by the tablespoon until it is pourable.)
Assemble the satay: Place a cube of eggplant onto a bamboo skewer, followed by a piece of pineapple, bell pepper, scallion, tofu and another piece of eggplant. Repeat with the remaining skewers.
Heat the grill or a griddle pan over high. Use a pastry brush to dab the 1/4 cup oil all over the skewers. Once hot, line the skewers on the grill or griddle pan, working in batches as needed. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every 2 to 3 minutes with a metal spatula or tongs, until the eggplant is cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
Prepare the glaze: Mix 4 tablespoons kecap manis with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Brush the glaze all over the skewers.
Pool about 1 cup peanut sauce onto a large serving plate, spreading it close to the edges of the plate. Lay the cooked skewers on top, then spoon the remaining peanut sauce on top. Drizzle lightly with 1 tablespoon of kecap manis, and garnish with the sliced scallions.