Soy Glazed Eggplant Food

SOY GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Cut the eggplant into 3/4-inch cubes. The easiest way to do this is to first slice the eggplant into 3/4-inch slices, then lay each slice flat and slice into 3/4-inch squares.
• Add the olive oil to a large skillet at head over medium. Once hot, swirl the oil to coat the surface of the skillet, then add the eggplant cubes. Cook the eggplant cubes, stirring occasionally, until they are softened (about ten minutes). If the eggplant begins to stick, add a couple tablespoons of water to the skillet to help loosen the eggplant.
• While the eggplant is cooking, prepare the soy ginger glaze. Stir together the soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
• Once the eggplant is soft, pour in the soy ginger glaze, making sure to scrape out all the sugar that may have settled to the bottom of the bowl. Continue to stir and cook the eggplant in the skillet, dissolving any browned bits off the bottom, for about 5 more minutes.
• Top the eggplant with chopped peanuts and sliced green onion before serving. Serve over warm rice with a drizzle of sriracha mayo, if desired.

SZECHWAN EGGPLANT STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Cut the eggplants in 1/2 lengthwise and then slice crosswise into wedges, no more than 1-inch wide.
• Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high flame and add the oils; tilt the pan to coat all sides. When you see a slight smoke, add a layer of eggplant, stir-fry until seared and sticky, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the eggplant to a side platter and cook the remaining eggplant in same manner, adding more oil, if needed.
• After all the eggplant is out of the pan, add the green onions, ginger, garlic, and chile; stir-fry for a minute until fragrant. Add the broth. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch until the sugar and cornstarch are dissolved. Pour the soy sauce mixture into the wok and cook another minute, until the sauce has thickened. Put the eggplant back in the pan, tossing quickly, until the sauce is absorbed. Garnish with sesame seeds, Thai basil, and cilantro and serve.

GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Mix 2 tablespoons each water and oyster sauce, 2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons fish sauce and 1 teaspoon sugar; set aside. Cut 4 small Japanese eggplants in half lengthwise, then cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks. Cook in 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the sauce mixture. Simmer, tossing, until glazed, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Top with chopped peanuts and cilantro.

SPICY HOISIN GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the ginger, garlic and red chili flakes and cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the hoisin, vinegar and soy sauce until combined and then strain, reserving the sauce.
• Heat grill to high.
• Brush eggplant slices on both sides with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the slices on the grill and grill until golden brown and slighty charred, 4 to 5 minutes. Brush with some of the glaze, turn over and continue grilling just until cooked through, brushing with more of the glaze, 3 to 4 minutes longer. Remove from the grill and brush with the remaining glaze. Transfer to a platter and sprinkle with the cilantro.

MISO GLAZED EGGPLANT: LOW CARB

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the upper part of the oven and preheat the broiler. Line a pan with foil.
• Whisk the miso and soy sauce together in a small bowl. Trim the eggplant stems and halve lengthwise. Lightly score a diamond-like pattern into the flesh of the eggplant. Put the eggplants, skin-side up on the prepared pan.
• Broil the eggplants until the skin discolors, about 1 minute. Turn the eggplants over, lightly brush the top with oil, and broil until softened, about 4 minutes. Brush each eggplant half with the miso mixture and broil until the top is bubbling, about 1 minute. Serve.

GOCHUJANG-GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Halve 4 to 5 Japanese eggplants lengthwise and crosswise. Brush with vegetable oil. Place flesh-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet; bake at 400˚ F until tender, 15 minutes. Whisk 2 tablespoons each soy sauce, gochujang and honey, 1 teaspoon each toasted sesame oil and minced garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Brush glaze on the eggplants; broil until charred, 4 minutes. Brush with the remaining glaze; top with sliced scallions and sesame seeds.

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.