Grilled Japanese Eggplant Food

GRILLED MISO GLAZED JAPANESE EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat grill to medium (grill side, not hot plate) or a heavy based pan over medium heat. It's important only to use medium heat because otherwise the eggplant will burn before it cooks through.
• Combine the Miso Glaze ingredients and whisk to combine and remove lumps.
• Brush the cut side of each eggplant with the oil. Do it 2 to 3 times to use up all the oil.
• Place the cut side down on the grill and cook for 4 minutes until it turns a light golden brown.
• Turn over, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. While it is cooking, use a spoon to spread a generous amount of Miso Glaze on the cut side of each eggplant.
• Squeeze the side of the eggplant with your tongs (or fingers if you can handle the heat!) to check for doneness - it should be squishy and soft.
• Turn over and grill just for 30 seconds to 1 minute, just to caramelise the glaze.
• Remove from grill, garnish with shallots and sesame seeds and serve immediately.

WHOLE GRILLED JAPANESE EGGPLANT WITH LEMON AND SOY SAUCE

Steps:

• Whisk together the soy sauce, lemon juice, and olive oil in a bowl to make the dressing; set aside. Score the stem end of each eggplant, making a circular cut in the skin (this will make the eggplant easier to peel). Poke a few holes into the eggplants with a skewer or fork to allow steam to escape as they grill.
• Preheat a grill to medium. Grill for about 8 minutes, turning the eggplants a quarter turn every 2 minutes. Try to grill the eggplant all around. Test the eggplants for doneness by pressing against their sides with a pair of tongs. If the eggplants give easily, they're ready. Transfer the eggplants to a plate.
• As soon as the eggplants are cool enough to handle, carefully peel off the skin (the skin comes off more easily if the eggplant is warm; don't let it cool completely). Once you've removed the skin, remove the stems, and slice each eggplant into 4 pieces, cutting on an angle. Transfer the eggplant slices to a platter. Drizzle with dressing, sprinkle with the bonito, and serve.

GRILLED JAPANESE EGGPLANT WITH AN ASIAN VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Wash eggplants and pat dry with paper towels, set aside.
• In a small mixing bowl combine the Chinese 5-spice powder, onion powder, garlic salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
• Slice the eggplants in half lengthwise, brush with olive oil and rub the mixed spices on both sides.
• Grill over low heat for about 5 minutes on each side, or until tender.
• Arrange cabbage on serving plates and top with grilled eggplant; drizzle with the asian vinaigrette.
• Top with the fresh mint, feta, and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
• Asian Vinaigrette:.
• In a blender or food processor, combine all the ingredients except the vegetable and sesame oils. With the blender/processor running, slowly pour in the vegetalbe oil followed by the sesame oil. Process for 10 to 15 seconds longer. Refrigerate until ready to serve. (If necessary, whisk before serving.).
• COOK'S TIP: Leftover vinaigrette makes for a tasty salad dressing or marinade for fish.

GRILLED JAPANESE EGGPLANT WITH CITRUS MISO SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except eggplant and salt and pepper in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Let cool. Preheat grill. Season eggplant with salt and pepper to taste and brush with miso sauce. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, basting with marinade.

JAPANESE GRILLED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) (YAKI NASU)

Steps:

• Bring seasoning ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan and let cool.
• Bring sauce to a boil in a small saucepan and let cool.
• Grill eggplants whole on a wire rack on grill until they are soft and feel tender.
• Test with your finger or a toothpick to see how soft it is.
• Place in cold water to cool; then peel and pat dry.
• Put eggplant in seasoning liquid; allow to sit for at least 10 minutes.
• Remove eggplant and cut into bite-size pieces.
• Place eggplant into serving dish; top with some sauce and a few bonito flakes; serve at room temperature or chilled.

GRILLED AND CHILLED JAPANESE EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal fire. Grill the eggplants over hot coals until soft, about 10 to 15 minutes, turning frequently. Remove and set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Combine the chicken broth, bonito flakes, soy sauce and rice wine in a saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the ginger and remove from the heat. Use a sharp knife to slice the eggplants lengthwise into 4 slices, without cutting through the stem end. Fan each eggplant out on a platter and drizzle with the sauce. Refrigerate until completely cool, or up to 24 hours, before serving.