Pork Mince And Aubergine Food

ASIAN AUBERGINE & PORK HOTPOT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in an ovenproof sauté pan and brown the meat well (you may have to do this in batches), then scoop out of the pan. Add the rest of the oil and the aubergine, brown on all sides, scoop out and add to the pork. Tip the sugar into the pan and leave to caramelise slightly, then return the pork and aubergine to the pan with the star anise and cinnamon, then coat in the sticky caramel.
• Add the onions, ginger and half the chilli, and cook for a few mins with the pork. Add the coriander stalks and splash in the fish sauce and enough water to come about a third of the way up. Cover and place the dish, undisturbed, in the oven for 1 hr, then remove from the oven and add the lime juice and more fish sauce to taste. Stir through half the coriander leaves and the remaining chilli, and scatter over the rest of the coriander. You should have a hotpot of tender meat with soft aubergines all in a punchy little sauce.

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.

PORK & AUBERGINE NOODLE STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a wok or high-sided frying pan and fry the mince for 5-8 mins, until brown and starting to crisp at the edges. Add the aubergine and stir-fry for another 15 mins until soft and translucent.
• Meanwhile, cook the noodles following pack instructions, then drain. Mix the soy sauce, vinegar, cornflour and 2 tbsp water together in a small bowl and set aside.
• Add the grated ginger and ginger matchsticks, the garlic and chilli to the mince and stir-fry for a minute before adding the spring onion and pak choi. Stir-fry for another few minutes before adding the sauce. Bring to a bubble and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly and coats the aubergine. Scoop half the stir-fry into a bowl and leave to cool for your leftover pork & aubergine lettuce cups. (See tip, below.)
• Toss the drained noodles with the remaining stir-fry in the wok until the noodles are coated in the sauce. Divide between warmed bowls.

SPICY PORK & AUBERGINE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan with a lid. Tip in the onions and aubergine and fry for 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until soft and golden brown.
• Tip in the pork and fry for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown. Mix in the pepper strips and stir fry for about 3 minutes until soft.
• Sprinkle in the curry powder. Stir fry for a minute, then pour in the tomatoes and water. Stir vigorously, cover the pan and leave the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes until the tomatoes break down to form a thick sauce (you can add a drop more water if the mixture gets too thick). Season with salt and pepper and serve with basmati rice.