Hot Sour Aubergine Food

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.

HOT AND SOUR EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Place the eggplant cubes in a large bowl, sprinkle them with the salt, and add cool water to cover. Place a saucer or bowl on top to keep eggplant submerged. Let soak 30 to 45 minutes, then drain, rinse, and dry on paperr towels.
• Whisk together the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the garlic and the oil in a small bowl and set it aside.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok on medium-high heat. Add the dried eggplant cubes and stir-fry until tender and browning, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add the minced garlic during the last 30 seconds of stir-frying.
• Pour in the sauce ingredients from the small bowl, cook and stir until the sauce has thickened and coated the eggplant. Serve hot!

HOT AND SOUR AUBERGINE WITH STICKY RICE

Steps:

• Cook the rice following packet instructions. Fry the onion and aubergine in the oil in a wide shallow pan with a lid on until golden and softened. Stir every few minutes.
• Mix the sugar and vinegar in a small bowl. Add the soy sauce and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the cornflour and stir until it has dissolved.
• Add the beans and red chilli to the pan and cook for 4 minutes with the lid on. Add the sweet and sour mix, stir and continue cooking for a further 2 minutes with the lid on. Serve with the rice and extra soy and chillies on the side.

HOT AND SOUR CHINESE EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Place the eggplant cubes into a large bowl, and sprinkle with salt. Fill with enough water to cover, and let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse well, and drain on paper towels.
• In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, red wine vinegar, sugar, chile pepper, cornstarch and chili oil. Set the sauce aside.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant until it is tender and begins to brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Pour in the sauce, and cook and stir until the sauce is thick and the eggplant is evenly coated. Serve immediately.

SWEET & SOUR AUBERGINES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170/gas 5. Toss the aubergines and onion in the oil in an ovenproof dish or roasting tin, and season. Roast for 20 mins until starting to tenderise and brown.
• Stir in the capers, olives, tomatoes, vinegar and sugar. Cook for a further 20 mins, stirring occasionally, until everything is soft. Serve warm or at room temperature.

MINTY SWEET AND SOUR EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler and position the rack on the top level.
• Line a baking sheet with foil and brush the foil with oil.
• If using Japanese eggplants, slice on the diagonal 1/3 inch thick.
• If using Italian eggplants, slice in half lengthwise, and then cut slices 1/3 inch thick.
• Lay as many as will fit on the baking sheet and brush with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Broil until lightly browned.
• Turn and repeat.
• If you have more slices than will fit on one baking sheet, repeat the process until all slices have been browned.
• Turn off broiler and pre-heat oven to 350°F.
• Toast the cumin seeds in a small saute pan until they darken and give off an aroma.
• Cool the seeds and place in a bowl with the rest of the seasoning ingredients.
• Lay the eggplant slices in a baking dish in slightly over-lapping rows or concentric circles. Dribble or brush over each row the seasoning mixture until all slices are used.
• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. (Result is a lovely casserole/gratin of eggplant to serve as a side.
• In the alternative, place slices on baking sheet, brush with seasoning mixture and bake till mixture is absorbed. (Result is a canape which can be served on its own).
• Beware--the aroma is so good you will be tempted to pick one up and eat it to the despair of your fingertips and tongue.
• As a canape or a side, the eggplant can be served hot or at room temperature.