Ginger Miso Marinated Eggplant Food

NASU DENGAKU - MISO GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Slice eggplant in half and using a knife, score the inside in small squares.
• In a pan over high heat, add oil and put the eggplant skin facing down.
• Cook for a few minute until skin is brown. Turn the eggplant over and cover with a lid. Cook until eggplant is cooked through (about 3 to 4 minutes).
• Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix miso, mirin, sugar and sake.
• Cover a cooking tray with foil and place the eggplant on top. Brush miso dengaku mix on top of each eggplant until all the surface is coated.
• Put in the oven and broil for 4 minutes. The miso mix should be bubbling when you take it out of the oven.
• Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and serve hot.

MISO-GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and cut off the stem and calyx. Using the tip of a paring knife, cut an incision down the middle of each half, making sure not to cut through the skin, but cutting down to it. Salt the eggplant lightly and let sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and brush with sesame oil.
• Blot the eggplants with paper towels and place, cut side down, on the baking sheets. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until the skin is beginning to shrivel and the flesh is soft. Remove from the oven, carefully turn the eggplants over, and preheat the broiler.
• To make the glaze, combine the mirin and sake in the smallest saucepan you have and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 20 seconds, taking care not to boil off much of the liquid, then turn the heat to low and stir in the miso and the sugar. Whisk over medium-low heat without letting the mixture boil, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and whisk in the sesame oil.
• Brush the eggplants with the miso glaze, using up all of the glaze. Place under the broiler, about 2 inches from the heat, and broil for about 1 minute, until the glaze begins to bubble and looks shiny. Remove from the heat. Allow to cool if desired or serve hot. To serve, cut the eggplant halves on the diagonal into 1- to 1-1/2-inch slices.

MISO-GLAZED EGGPLANT SLICES

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over high heat and spray well with cooking spray. Spray eggplant slices with cooking spray and grill in the hot pan, turning occasionally, until soft and charred, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile whisk oil, honey, tamari, white miso, and red pepper together in a large bowl. Add eggplant slices and toss to coat. Sprinkle with cilantro.

EGGPLANT SALAD WITH MISO GINGER DRESSING

Steps:

• Whisk first 6 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in vegetable oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat) or preheat broiler. Brush eggplant with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Grill or broil until golden and just tender, about 3 minutes per side.
• Toss greens with enough dressing to coat. Divide among plates. Top with eggplant. Drizzle with remaining dressing.

MISO-GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Whisk together shiro miso, vinegar, water, sugar, and ginger until sugar is dissolved.
• Brush a large shallow baking pan with oil and arrange eggplant, cut sides up, in pan. Brush tops with 2 tablespoons oil (total). Broil eggplant 4 to 6 inches from heat until it begins to turn pale golden and soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Brush generously with miso mixture and broil 2 minutes more. Brush eggplant with miso again and rotate pan 180 degrees (do not turn eggplant over), then continue to broil until eggplant is tender and glaze is golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve sprinkled with scallions.
• *Available at Asian markets, specialty foods shops, and Uwajimaya (800-889-1928).