Pork Fragrant Eggplant With Pork Food

PORK AND EGGPLANT IN HOT GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel eggplant and slice into pieces approximately 1x2 inches and 1/4 inch thick. If using Asian eggplants, peel and slice into 1/4 slices.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a non-stick wok or large skillet. Stir-fry eggplant strips until soft, drain, leaving oil in pan. Set eggplant aside.
• Toss garlic and ginger in the hot oil. As soon as it turns fragrant add the pork and toss until just cooked through.
• Add eggplant back to pan, stir to combine pork and eggplant.
• Add remaining ingredients (except garnishes) and stir. Turn off heat and let mixture sit for a couple of minutes to blend flavors.
• Plate the eggplant and sprinkle with garnishes.

GINGER PORK AND EGGPLANT STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Toss the pork, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk 3/4 cup water, the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch in a measuring cup; set aside.
• Add the noodles to the boiling water and cook as the label directs. Drain; keep the noodles in the colander. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant in a single layer and season with salt. Cook until browned and starting to soften, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a bowl.
• Increase the heat to high and add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the skillet. Add the pork in a single layer; cook, undisturbed, until browned on the bottom and only a little pink remains, 2 to 3 minutes (the pork will not be cooked through). Remove to a plate.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the skillet. Add the bell pepper, ginger, eggplant and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until the bell pepper starts softening, about 2 minutes. Add the soy-hoisin mixture and bring to a simmer. Return the pork to the skillet and cook through, about 30 seconds.
• Run the noodles under warm water to loosen and shake well to drain. Divide among bowls and top with the stir-fry.

BRAISED EGGPLANT, PORK AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Trim off the stem ends from the eggplant. If using Asian eggplant, slice into 2-inch lengths, and then cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. If using globe eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes. In a small bowl, mix the wine, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, pepper and 2/3 cup of water.
• Place a wok or a large frying pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, after about 1 minute, add 1 tablespoon of the oil and rotate the pan to spread. Add the pork, and stir-fry until it has broken into small chunks and is lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, garlic, chilies and eggplant; stir-fry until the eggplant begins to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. 3. Add the water mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is soft when pressed, 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms, and remove from the heat. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with cilantro. Note: Slender Chinese or Japanese eggplants hold their shape better and are less seedy than larger, more common globe eggplants.

SPICY EGGPLANT WITH PORK

Steps:

• Mix broth, lime juice, soy sauce and Sriracha in a measuring cup.
• Cut eggplant into lengthwise batons a 1/2 inch thick and 3 inches long.
• Cook pork in 12 inch frying or wok over high heat, stirring to break up clumps until lightly browned, about 4-6 minutes.
• Add 2 tablespoon broth mixture and stir until liquid evaporates, about 1 minute.
• Transfer to a bowl and wipe about pan.
• Return pan to high heat and add 2 tablespoons oil.
• When pan is hot, add eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 3 minutes.
• Add shallots, remaining tablespoon oil, and 1/4 cup water and continue to stir fry until eggplant is browned and tender and shallots are carmelized, about 7-9 minutes, add a little more water if pan juices start to darken too much.
• Pour in remaining broth mixture and pork and stir until most of the liquid is absorbed, 1-2 minutes.
• Transfer to a serving dish and toss with cilantro.

FISH-FRAGRANT EGGPLANT WITH MINCED PORK

Steps:

• Leaving the skin on, cut the eggplants in half lengthways. Then cut them into 3-4 cm (1¼-1½ inch) chunks, to end up with approx. 12-16 pieces (depending on the size of your eggplants).
• Finely chop the garlic, chile, ginger, and cilantro, taking care to keep the chile and coriander separate. Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Tip the minced pork into a separate bowl, then add the marinade ingredients and mix well.
• Now build your wok clock: place your eggplant pieces at 12 o'clock, then arrange the garlic, ginger, marinated minced pork, chile, the sauce bowl and lastly the cilantro clockwise around the plate.
• If deep-frying, put the vegetable oil into a wok and heat to 350°F, or use a wooden skewer or wooden chopstick to test by placing the tip in the oil: if the wood starts to fizz after a second or two, the oil is hot enough. Carefully add the eggplant pieces and fry for 3 minutes, to immediately seal in their moisture and flavor. Have a metal or ceramic bowl ready with a metal sieve placed on top. Pour the eggplant and oil into the sieve to drain the excess oil, setting the aubergine aside for later.
• If you prefer to pan-fry rather than deep-fry, place the eggplant pieces in a mixing bowl and massage well with 1½ Tbsp. of oil. Heat a frying pan on a medium heat and cook the eggplant, flesh side down, for 3-4 minutes per side, until both sides are browned. Put into a bowl and set aside for later.
• Return the wok to the hob on a medium-high heat. Add the ginger and garlic, immediately followed by the minced pork, and begin to stir-fry, breaking up the meat and browning it well. Bring the wok to a high heat and, once smoking hot, add the sauce and bring to a vigorous boil. Put the aubergine back into the wok and reduce the heat to medium-low, allowing the sauce to simmer and caramelize around the eggplant pieces. Cover with a lid and boil for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Scatter over the chopped cilantro and serve.