Best Thaï Eggplant Recipes

RED THAI COCONUT CURRY WITH EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Wrap tofu in several layers of paper towels. Place in a colander in the sink. Set a plate on top of tofu and weigh down with a large, heavy can. Let stand for at least 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, shake cans of coconut milk well prior to opening. Pour 1/2 of 1 can into a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in curry paste until well blended. Add eggplant, onion, and bell pepper, stirring well with a rubber spatula to prevent breaking of tender eggplant during cooking.
• Stir remaining 1 1/2 cans coconut milk, dark brown sugar, tamari, rice vinegar, and salt into the saucepan. Mix well. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Unwrap tofu and cut into bite-sized cubes. Stir into curry mixture. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Add peas and cook until warm, 1 to 2 minutes more.

THAI BASIL EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add chile and garlic; cook and stir until garlic is golden, about 1 minute. Add eggplants to the fragrant garlic oil. Stir in water and cover. Cook, stirring every few minutes, until eggplants soften, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Uncover and stir in soy sauce, sugar, and salt. Stir well and continue cooking until all the water has evaporated and eggplant is coated with sauce, about 5 minutes. Add basil leaves and stir once; remove from heat.

THAI RED CURRY CHICKEN AND EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Heat a heavy saute pan over medium high heat.
• Add 1/4 can of the thicker coconut milk.
• When it bubbles, add curry paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Add additional 1/4 can of the thicker coconut milk and cook for 5- 8 minutes, until the oil begins to separate.
• Add chicken and stir to coat well.
• Cook for about 4 minutes until the chicken has changed color and firmed up.
• Add remaining coconut milk, bring to a boil, add eggplant and cook at a simmer, covered until chicken and eggplant are completely cooked.
• Stir in fish sauce and lime leaves.
• Cook at a low simmer for 5 minutes.
• Just before serving, stir in lime juice, chiles and basil.

THAI EGGPLANT CURRY WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or skillet and saute eggplant in batches on both sides until browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side, adding more oil as needed.
• Combine cilantro roots, onion, chile peppers, garlic, sugar, lime juice, and fish sauce in a mortar; crush with a pestle into a soft paste.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or skillet over high heat, add curry paste and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add eggplant, cover, and cook for 3 minutes. Mix in tofu and Thai basil.

SAUTEED SHRIMP WITH THAI SPICED EGGPLANT AND THAI RED CURRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, over high heat combine the oil and butter. Saute the shrimp until they are just pink, about 3 to 4 minutes, and season with salt and pepper. To serve, place 1/4 cup of the Thai Spiced Eggplant in the center of a plate. Arrange 3 of the sauteed shrimp on top and nap with 1/4 cup of the sauce. Garnish with chiffonade of basil leaves.
• In a medium saucepan, over high heat, add the peanut oil and stir fry the ginger, lemon grass and galangal. Cook until glossy and aromatic, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Add the Thai chiles and stir-fry another 30 seconds. Add the cumin, paprika, red Thai curry paste and tomato. Cook another 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Deglaze the saucepan with coconut milk and bring mixture to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer, add the lime juice, fish sauce, lime leaves and basil. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes and reduce slightly.
• Season, to taste, with salt and sugar. Remove from heat and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and use as needed.
• Preheat a grill. With a fork, poke eggplant several times. Rub with 1 tablespoon of peanut oil. Grill until completely tender. Remove pulp from the charred skin and roughly chop the pulp.
• In a medium saute pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil and butter. Over medium heat, saute the jalapeno, garlic, ginger, and onion until glossy and aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato and eggplant pulp. Stir until well blended. Add the sugar, cumin, and coriander. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Cook over low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Taste and correct seasoning with salt and pepper. Turn off heat and stir in cilantro and Thai basil. Use as needed.

THAI FRIED EGGPLANT WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Mix fish sauce, soy, water and brown sugar; set aside. Heat wok on medium-high heat. Add 2tbsp oil, and eggplants. Fry for 2 minutes on either side, or until they begin to brown and turn soft. Remove from wok. Add 1 tbsp oil to wok. Add onions, and fry for 3-4 minutes, or until soft and glossy. Remove from wok. Heat remaining oil. Add garlic and chiles, and fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add sliced pepers and onions; fry for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Return eggplant to the wok, and toss to combine. Add sauce to the wok, stirring for 1 minute. Toss in basil. Add corn starch, cooking until the sauce becomes thick and coats the vegetables. Serve immediately over hot rice.

THAI SEARED EGGPLANT AND COCONUT MILK CURRY

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and after the oil is hot, stir in the eggplant. Cook for 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the eggplant is seared.
• Stir in the onions, ginger and garlic, and then cook for about 1 minute, or until soft. (If the pan is too dry from the eggplant absorbing all the oil, add a touch more olive oil when stirring in the onions.)
• Reduce heat to low and stir in the coconut milk, fish sauce, curry powder, brown sugar, black pepper and optional chilies. Simmer for about 2 minutes or until heated through and eggplant has absorbed some of the sauce.
• SERVE WITH Rice and garnished with cilantro.

PAN-SEARED STRIPED BASS WITH THAI RED CURRY SAUCE AND SPICY EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• For the spicy eggplant: Add 2 tablespoons of the oil to a medium saute pan over high heat. Add the red onion and sweat, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, eggplant, garlic, ginger, bird's eye chile and salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the eggplant is browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock, fish sauce and chili paste. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for about 15 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and Thai basil before serving.
• For the fish: Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a medium saute pan over high heat. Season the fish generously on both sides with salt and lay it skin-side down in the hot pan. Sear until the skin is crispy, about 2 minutes. Flip the fish and cook for about 1 minute. Adjust the heat as needed. Transfer the fish to a baking sheet skin-side up. Bake until done, about 5 minutes.
• For the red curry sauce: Pour out excess oil from the pan used to cook the fish. Over medium heat, add the scallion whites, garlic and ginger and sweat for about 1 minute. Stir in the coconut milk, chicken stock, palm sugar, fish sauce, red curry paste, kaffir lime leaves and lime zest and juice. Bring to boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Before serving, stir in the scallion greens.
• For serving: Top the fish with the red curry sauce, peanuts, cilantro and Thai basil. Serve with the spicy eggplant.

THAI COCONUT SOUP WITH EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Mix water, coconut cream, and curry paste in a large saucepan. Add lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper; cook over medium-high heat until boiling, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add eggplant to the saucepan; reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Add tofu and mushrooms; simmer for 7 minutes. Sprinkle with green onions and serve.

EGGPLANT THAI STIR FRY

Steps:

• Mix the seasonings in a bowl until the sugar is dissolved and set aside.
• Rinse and dry the eggplant and cut off stems; don't peel. Quarter them lengthwise and cut each quarter into 2-inch wedges. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch with the water and sesame oil. Set aside.
• Heat a large, heavy skillet(or wok) over high heat for 30 seconds. Add the olive oil with the chili-pepper oil(or red pepper flakes), swirl, and heat for 30 seconds. Throw in the garlic, ginger, and scallions and stir rapidly for 15 seconds.
• Add the eggplant wedges and stir with a spatula in flipping and gentle pressing motions for 2-5 minutes to expose them to the oil.
• Turn heat down to medium high and continue to turn and press lightly for 4-7 more minutes, until the wedges are slightly browned and flattened. Don't press them hard, or they might break and become messy.
• Turn the heat back up to high. Give the seasonings a stir and pour over the eggplant. Stir in scooping and lifting motions for about 30 seconds; give the cornstarch mixture a stir and add to the sauce. Cook to desired doneness.
• Toss quickly, then place into a hot serving dish. Enjoy!
• Makes 3 to 4 servings.

CHINESE EGGPLANT WITH TOFU AND THAI BASIL

Steps:

• Place tofu on a paper towel-lined plate. Cover with another paper towel and place a heavy pot on top. Allow to sit until extra moisture has released into the paper towels, about 30 minutes.
• Heat peanut oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add tofu, onion, and garlic and saute until onions are soft, about 5 minutes, adding water if tofu sticks to the pan. Add eggplant, cover, and cook until eggplant starts to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Add soy sauce and chili sauce, lower heat to medium, and continue cooking until eggplant becomes translucent, 7 to 10 minutes. Add basil and stir until wilted, about 1 minute.

SESAME ROASTED EGGPLANT (THAI)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• In a large ovenpoof skillet over medium-high heat, add all of the marinade ingredients. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half. Add the eggplant and mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes.
• Put the pan into the oven and cook until the eggplant and mushrooms are soft and caramelized, about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with sesame seeds.

THAI BASIL EGGPLANT CURRY

Steps:

• This is written to chop as you go, but if that makes you nervous or you don't think you can work quickly enough, just chop everything first. I'll bet you can do it the second time you make this, though. Again, this makes a LOT of food so you'll need a big wok or cook pot, or cut the quantities in half.
• Put your rice on so it's cooking while you work. Follow the directions on the bag and set a timer if you have one because you'll be distracted. It'll be done before the food is ready but will stay plenty hot enough to serve.
• Start with the carrots and potatoes; slice them fairly thin and saute them in the oil and 1/3 tin of curry paste on medium-high heat for five minutes. Cover and go to the next step.
• Cut the eggplant into bite-sized cubes. You can peel the eggplant if you want but I think both texture and flavor is better if you leave the skin on. Add to the pan; saute, stirring occasionally, another five minutes. Cover and go on to the next step.
• Slice the onion and bell pepper into fairly thin strips and add them to the pan; saute, stirring occasionally, another five minutes. Cover and go to the next step.
• Cut the zucchini into bite-size pieces and add to the pan. Strip the basil leaves off their stems and add them too. Stir and cover. Just one more step and you're done.
• Get a blender out and blend the can of coconut milk with one can full of chicken broth and the second 1/3 of red curry paste. Take a good long whiff of it. WOW! Remember to sneeze away from the food. Call one of your family in to smell it and laugh as they experience the same thing you just did, but not in a mean way so they won't get mad when you then ask them to set the table for you while you finish up. Get excited about how awesome this is going to be.
• Add the coconut/chicken/curry liquid to the pan and let it come to a simmer. Once it's simmering you can check a potato or a carrot for doneness; they should be tender. Dinner's ready!
• Serve in a bowl over steaming white rice and a box of Kleenex on the table because you're probably going to need it. Jasmine rice really is preferable for this. If you serve this worthy food over instant rice I swear I'll drive over there and whup you myself. Instant rice is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord.

JUNGLE CURRY WITH PORK AND THAI EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Trim eggplants and cut into 1-inch wedges (do this just before heating oil to avoid discoloration).
• Heat oil (see above) in wok over moderate heat until warm, about 30 seconds. Add curry paste (to taste) and cook, stirring constantly, until very fragrant and a shade darker, 2 to 3 minutes. Add pork and stir-fry over high heat until no longer pink on outside, 1 to 2 minutes. Add eggplant, grachai, beans, baby corn, and stock and simmer, stirring, until eggplant is crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add fish sauce, lime leaves, chile, and salt and bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Stir in half of basil.
• Serve topped with remaining basil.

THAI BASIL EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Peel eggplant if desired (I don't). Cut into irregular shapes but same sizes. That makes them easier to turn and keeps them from sticking to the pan.
• Heat wok over med-high heat. Add oil, peppers and garlic. Cook until garlic becomes lightly browned, 1-2 minutes.
• Add eggplant and stir. Add 1/2 cup water cover and simmer 5 minutes, until eggplant has soaked up most of the water and becomes translucent. You may need to add more water as it cooks.
• Add fish sauce and sugar. Stir gently. Turn off the heat and add the basil stir gently.
• Serve immediately.
• Really good with jasmine rice :O.

SPICY THAI EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Combine the ground pork with the salt, pepper, and cornstarch. Marinate the pork for 15 minutes.
• While the pork is marinating, prepare the remaining ingredients.
• In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar.
• Cut the eggplant lengthwise into 1 inch strips or into 1-inch squares. Mince the garlic.
• Heat the wok over medium-high to high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add the eggplant. Stir-fry the eggplant until it is softened (about 5 minutes). Remove and drain on paper towels.
• Add 2 tablespoons oil to the wok. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and bean sauce. Stir-fry until aromatic. Add the ground pork. Stir-fry until it changes color, using cooking chopsticks or a wooden spoon to separate the individual pieces.
• Push the pork up to the sides of the wok. Add the sauce in the middle and bring to a boil, stirring quickly to thicken. Add the eggplant slices and the Chile paste and Thai Peppers. Cook for a few more minutes and stir in the sesame oil. Serve hot.

THAI SPICY EGGPLANT WITH SWEET BASIL

Steps:

• Heat a deep skillet or wok-shaped pan over high heat. Add oil and crushed red pepper, and let sizzle for 10 to 15 seconds. Add eggplant, and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add onion, bell pepper and garlic, and stir-fry for 3 minutes more.
• Add vinegar and soy sauce. Sprinkle with sugar, and toss for 1 or 2 minutes longer.
• Remove pan from heat, add basil leaves and toss to combine with eggplant.

SPICY THAI EGGPLANT & TOFU

Steps:

• Put water on to boil according to rice noodle directions.
• Food prep: Slice tofu into bite sized pieces, cut eggplant into bite sized pieces, dice onion & mince garlic.
• In a large skillet, add EVOO, garlic and onions. Allow to cook for 2 minutes to soften.
• Add tofu, eggplant, brocoli, spice & enough peanut sauce to coat (this should all simmer for about five minutes).
• When noodles are finished, add noodles to mix and toss in peanuts and/or cashews as well as more peanut sauce if needed to coat.
• Bon apetit!
• *I use the microwave bags of brocoli to keep from dirtying another dish. Also, my husband likes chicken in his, so I will sometimes cook a chicken breast in the EVOO before preparing the meal and then slice that up to add to his bowl.

THAI CHARRED EGGPLANT WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Preheat the grill for high heat.
• Oil the grill grate, and cook the eggplants on all sides until charred and black, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and place on a rack to cool. Peel, slice diagonally, and set aside.
• In a food processor or blender, combine the chile peppers, garlic, cilantro, onion, sugar, and lime juice. Process until smooth.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat, and add the chile mixture. Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 1 minute. Gently stir in the tofu, 1/4 cup of basil, and the eggplant. Cook until heated through. Remove to a serving dish, and garnish with the remaining basil.

THAI RED CURRY BEEF AND EGGPLANT

Steps:

• In a clay pot or saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the red curry base and coconut milk and heat until hot. In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Add the eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to the pan with the curry sauce and add the beef. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is cooked through and the eggplant is tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the peas, cherry tomatoes, basil, Kaffir lime leaves and chilies and stir until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately with steamed rice. Serves 8.