Eggplant And Watercress Salad With Sesame Food

WARM EGGPLANT SALAD WITH SESAME AND SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Cut off stems of eggplant and cut in half lengthwise. Soak in cold water 5 minutes, drain and pat dry. Arrange on a microwave-safe plate, cover with plastic wrap and cook until softened and tender (3-6 minutes). Let stand a few minutes to finish cooking. Or steam eggplant 5-7 minutes or until limp and tender.
• In a bowl combine sugar, soy sauce, sake (or sherry), vinegar, sesame seeds and sesame paste (or peanut butter).
• Cut (skinned if desired) eggplant into strips about 1/2 inch wide and 3 inches long. A handful at a time, wrap strips in paper towels and squeeze to get rid of extra water. Mound on serving plate.
• Drizzle sauce over eggplant, and scatter myoga (or shallots) and shiso (or herbs) on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• For Vegan if using Sake make sure the Sake is Vegan friendly.

SPICY EGGPLANT SALAD WITH SESAME OIL

Steps:

• Cook the eggplants in a covered steamer over rapidly boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then peel. Put the flesh in a fine meshed strainer to drain excess liquid.
• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, lime juice, salt and sugar. Add garlic, ginger, sesame oil, vegetable oil and hot pepper oil, if using.
• Put drained eggplants in a bowl. Using 2 forks, shred the eggplants a bit, then pour dressing over and toss, coating well. Leave to rest for 10 minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning.
• Just before serving, stir in chopped cilantro. Pile eggplants on a platter and sprinkle with scallions. Garnish with serrano chile, if using, and cilantro sprigs.

SESAME EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Cut a Japanese eggplant (which is longer and more slender than the usual hulking kind) into small cubes and steam until tender. Dress with sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, the juice of half a lemon and salt to taste.

EGGPLANT AND WATERCRESS SALAD WITH SESAME

Steps:

• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Place smoke chips in 8x6-inch foil packet with open top. Set packet atop coals about 5 minutes before grilling. Brush eggplant with 2 tablespoons corn oil. Grill until cooked, about 5 minutes per side. Cut into 3/4-inch cubes. Place in large bowl.
• Toast sesame seeds in heavy small skillet over medium-low heat until light brown, about 5 minutes.
• Whisk vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, crushed red pepper and 2 tablespoons corn oil in medium bowl. Add watercress to eggplant in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle sesame seeds over salad.

ROASTED EGGPLANT SALAD WITH SOY, SESAME AND CHARRED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Pour the olive oil into a baking sheet and top with a single layer of eggplant slices. Turn to coat both sides with the oil and sprinkle liberally with salt. Place in the center of the oven and roast until completely tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove and arrange in a single layer on a serving platter.
• Place the peppers directly on the burners of a gas range or grill and char on all sides, rotating with a pair of tongs. Remove from the heat and place them in the refrigerator to cool, 10 minutes. Use a paper towel to wipe off the charred skin. Remove the seeds and slice the pepper flesh into thin strips. Arrange over the top of the eggplant.
• Whisk together the soy, ginger, sesame oil, vinegar and garlic in a medium bowl. Taste for seasoning. Sprinkle the vinaigrette over the eggplant and peppers and top with the sesame seeds.

WATERCRESS SALAD WITH SOY-SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Trim the stalks from the watercress. Wash and spin dry the leaves. Rinse the endive and slice it lengthwise into thin slivers. Place the endive in a salad bowl with the watercress.
• Remove the pith from the orange segments and cut them into small pieces.
• In a small bowl, combine the garlic with the soy sauce, the vinegar and the sesame and olive oils. Crush the garlic into the dressing with a fork, and then remove it. Season the dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• Toss the salad in the dressing and serve.

COLD EGGPLANT SALAD WITH SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Trim eggplant, and cut into cubes of 1/2 to 1 inch. If using large eggplant, sprinkle with salt, put in a colander, and let sit at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour. Rinse.
• Boil large pot of water. Blanch eggplant in boiling water 2 minutes, no more. It will become just tender. Drain in colander as you would pasta.
• Toast sesame seeds in small dry skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently until they color slightly. Dry eggplant with paper towels. Combine remaining ingredients, and toss with eggplant and sesame seeds in bowl. Serve at room temperature, or refrigerate until ready to serve. Covered well, the salad will remain flavorful for a day.

SESAME EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SALAD

Steps:

• Place wok or skillet over high heat, when hot, add 2tbs oil and swirl to coat the pan.
• When hot but not smoking, about 1 minute, add eggplant, stir fry about 1 minute.
• Add water, or more as needed, and continue to stir-fry moving pan off and on the heat as necessary to prevent scorching, until water evaporates and eggplant is tender when pierced, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer to a bowl and let cool to room temperature.
• Mix all dressing ingredients in a bowl, whisk to blend. Pour over cooled eggplant and toss to coat well.
• To serve, mound on a serving plate and garnish with onions.

WATERCRESS, STRAWBERRY, AND TOASTED-SESAME SALAD

Steps:

• Toast sesame seeds in a small skillet over medium-high heat, shaking frequently, until fragrant and golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate; let cool.
• Meanwhile, whisk together oil and vinegar in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add watercress, strawberries, almonds, sesame seeds, and feta. Toss gently to combine; season to taste. Serve immediately.

WATERCRESS AND BLACK SESAME SALAD

Steps:

• Lightly toast sesame seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant. Set aside.
• Remove leaves from watercress and reserve in large mixing bowl. Coarsely chop stems. Place 1/2 cup stems in saucepan of water to cover, bring to a boil, drain and plunge into ice water. Drain well, squeezing out all moisture, and place in blender. Add salt, pepper, vinegar and oil. Purée.
• Finely mince remaining stems. Mix with dressing. Pour over leaves, add half the sesame seeds and toss.
• Divide among four salad plates, or arrange on a single large serving dish. Garnish with daikon and carrot. Sprinkle with remaining sesame seeds and serve.

WATERCRESS SESAME SALAD

Steps:

• Discard coarse stems from watercress and put watercress in a bowl. Lightly toast sesame seeds. In a small bowl whisk together vinegar, oils, and salt and pepper to taste until dressing is combined well. Drizzle dressing over watercress and toss with 2 teaspoons sesame seeds.
• Serve salad sprinkled with remaining teaspoon sesame seeds.