Aubergine Black Bean Stir Fry Food

CHINESE EGGPLANTS (AUBERGINE) WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat saucepan on medium high. Add oil, hot but not smoky.
• Add minced ginger root, garlic, white part of green onion and salt and pepper. Cook to soften.
• Add fermented black beans, smash with spoon and mix into ginger, garlic, onion mixture.
• Add chopped onion, cook to soften 2 minutes.
• Add oyster sauce and rice vinegar, mix well.
• Add eggplants and mix well.
• Add red pepper flakes, if using.
• Cook until eggplants and onion are well done.
• Taste and add soy sauce, if needed.
• Garnish with green part of onions.
• Serve with sauce over white rice.

SZECHWAN EGGPLANT STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Cut the eggplants in 1/2 lengthwise and then slice crosswise into wedges, no more than 1-inch wide.
• Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high flame and add the oils; tilt the pan to coat all sides. When you see a slight smoke, add a layer of eggplant, stir-fry until seared and sticky, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the eggplant to a side platter and cook the remaining eggplant in same manner, adding more oil, if needed.
• After all the eggplant is out of the pan, add the green onions, ginger, garlic, and chile; stir-fry for a minute until fragrant. Add the broth. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch until the sugar and cornstarch are dissolved. Pour the soy sauce mixture into the wok and cook another minute, until the sauce has thickened. Put the eggplant back in the pan, tossing quickly, until the sauce is absorbed. Garnish with sesame seeds, Thai basil, and cilantro and serve.

SMOKY PULLED AUBERGINE & BLACK BEAN TACOS

Steps:

• Prick the aubergines all over with a fork, then set over a medium gas flame (or on the coals of a barbecue or under the grill) and cook, turning occasionally with tongs, until blackened and collapsing, about 20-25 mins. Transfer to a plate and leave to cool. Peel the skin from the cooled aubergines or scoop out the flesh using a spoon. Try to remove most of the skin, but don't worry if a few flecks remain.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof frying pan with the bay leaf and cumin seeds. When they start to sizzle, add the onion and garlic. Fry for about 5 mins until fragrant but not coloured, then stir in the tomato purée and cook it down for a couple of mins.
• Add the tomatoes and dried oregano, and cook for a few mins more until they have collapsed into the sauce. Add the aubergine flesh, chilli powder, chilli flakes and vinegar, and cook, stirring, for 1 min, then tip in the cans of black beans, one drained and one still with its liquid. Squeeze over a little of the lime juice and cook for 5 mins until reduced and bubbling, then transfer to the oven and roast for 15-20 mins until deep, dark and fully reduced.
• Season with more lime juice, if you like, and spoon the aubergine mixture into the warm tortillas with the coriander, crumbled feta, lettuce and pink pickled onions to serve

CHINESE EGGPLANT AND TOFU IN BLACK BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Coat eggplant cubes in flour.
• Fry in oil 4 minutes.
• Add tofu; fry for 4 minutes until golden.
• Add black bean sauce to coat.
• Done.

PULLED BBQ AUBERGINE & BLACK BEAN BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat the grill to high and grill the aubergine, turning occasionally, until blackened and soft all over, about 20-30 mins. Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large ovenproof pan over a medium heat, add the onion and fry until softened and golden, about 10 mins. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Peel the skin from the cooled aubergine and discard it, or scoop out the flesh using a spoon, then put in the pan with the onion. Add the garlic granules, paprika, sugar, oregano, 1 tsp sea salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir until aromatic, then mix in the barbecue sauce along with the black beans. Season and bake until the sauce is rich and thick, and the aubergine resembles pulled pork - about 10-15 mins.
• Pile into the burger buns with the red onion or pink pickled onion and any other burger fillings you like. Enjoy with coleslaw and corn on the cob on the side, if you like.

SEITAN & BLACK BEAN STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Start by making the sauce, tip half the beans into the bowl of a food processor with the rest of the ingredients and add 50ml water. Season, then blend until smooth. Pour into a saucepan and heat gently for about 5 mins or until thick and glossy.
• Drain the seitan and pat dry with kitchen paper. Toss the seitan pieces in a bowl with the cornflour and set aside. Heat your wok to a high temperature, add a little oil, then the seitan - you might need to do this in batches. Stir-fry for around 5 mins until golden brown at the edges. Remove the seitan from the wok using a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.
• If the wok is dry at this stage, add 1 tsp vegetable oil. Throw in the chopped peppers, the rest of the beans, pak choi and spring onion. Cook for 3-4 mins, then return the seitan to the pan, stir in the sauce and bring to the boil for 1 min. Serve with cooked rice or noodles.

HOT & SOUR AUBERGINES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients. Heat a large frying pan and pour in 1 tbsp of the oil. Season the aubergine and brown on all sides until soft (you may need to add another 1 tbsp oil as they cook) - this will take about 15 mins. Set aside.
• Pour the remaining oil into a wok. Add the onion and garlic, and stir-fry for 3-4 mins on a low heat until the onion is soft and the garlic golden. Add the aubergine and pour the sauce over. Stir together, turn the heat down to low and cover with a lid for 2 mins. Take the lid off and stir-fry again for 1 min more. Serve with chilli slices and coriander sprinkled over.