Spicy Eggplant Saute Food

SAUTéED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Peel the eggplant if you like. If you have any doubt about its quality, cut it into 1-inch cubes and place them in a colander. Sprinkle liberally with salt, at least a tablespoon; toss the eggplant to distribute the salt. Let sit in a sink or over a bowl, undisturbed, for at least 30 and preferably 60 minutes. It will shed a good deal of liquid. Squeeze out as much liquid as you can, rinse with fresh water, and pat dry.
• Put the oil and all but 1/2 teaspoon of the garlic in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Two minutes later, add the eggplant; cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is tender and lightly browned, 15 minutes or longer, adjusting the heat as necessary so the eggplant browns as quickly as possible without burning.
• Add the remaining garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute more; taste and adjust the seasoning, then stir in a handful of parsley and cook for a few more seconds. Garnish with some more parsley and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.
• Stewed Eggplant with Tomatoes (France)
• This is good with a few capers, too: In step 3, before adding the garlic, stir in about 2 cups chopped tomatoes (ripe, fresh ones are best, but canned are acceptable). Cook for about 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break up, then add the garlic and proceed.
• Crunchy Eggplant
• In step 3, before adding the garlic, stir in about 1/2 cup bread crumbs, preferably fresh (page 580). Cook for about a minute, until they begin to brown, then add the garlic.
• Basic Sautéed Eggplant, Indian Style
• In step 2, use butter if you prefer; add 2 cups sliced onion and 1 or more stemmed, seeded, and minced fresh green chiles, like jalapeños. Cook until the onion softens, then add the eggplant and proceed. In step 3, add 1 teaspoon peeled and minced fresh ginger along with the garlic and use cilantro and mint in place of the parsley or basil.
• Eggplant with Peppers and Yogurt (Middle East)
• In step 2, cook 2 bell peppers-red, yellow, green, or a combination (or you can use mild poblano chiles), cored, seeded, and cut into strips-with the eggplant, until tender. In step 3, mix the remaining garlic with 1 cup yogurt, beaten until smooth, a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and some salt and pepper. Remove the eggplant and peppers from the pan and pour this sauce over them; serve hot.
• Eggplant with Pine Nuts (Italy)
• Just before serving, lightly brown 1/4 cup pine nuts in 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; stir this into the cooked eggplant.

SPICY EGGPLANT SAUTE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and chili oil over medium-high heat. Add spices and stir. Add vegetables and stir. Cover and stir occasionally until onion is translucent, eggplant is tender, and green pepper is crisp-tender.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH SPICY PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan heat the sesame oil over medium heat.
• Add the garlic and red pepper flakes.
• Saute for 1 minute.
• Whisk in the peanut butter, tamari, lime juice, sugar and water, cooking for 2 minutes.
• Add a touch of water-you want the sauce to be the consistency of hot fudge sauce.
• Keep warm over low heat.
• Heat your grill to medium high heat.
• Slice the eggplant 1/2 inch thick.
• Brush both sides with oil and lightly salt.
• Grill for 8-10 minutes or until tender and lightly browned.
• Brush lightly with sauce and serve with remaining sauce.

SPICY EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Cook and stir the eggplant cubes until they begin to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the eggplant with a slotted spoon, and set aside.
• Heat 2 more tablespoons of oil in the skillet over medium-high heat, and cook and stir the onions just until they begin to soften, about 30 seconds. Stir in the garlic, and cook and stir an additional 30 seconds. Mix in the soy sauce, water, oyster sauce, chili garlic sauce, sugar, and black pepper, and stir to form a smooth sauce. Return the eggplant to the skillet, lower the heat, and allow the vegetables and sauce to simmer until the eggplant is tender and almost all the liquid has been absorbed, about 5 minutes. Drizzle sesame oil over the dish, and give one final brief stir to combine.

SPICY EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Cut eggplants crosswise into 1-inch-thick rounds. In a 5-quart heavy kettle heat 2 tablespoons oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and brown cut sides of eggplant in 2 batches (adding remaining 2 tablespoons oil before second batch), turning eggplant occasionally with tongs.
• In kettle combine eggplant and remaining ingredients. Simmer mixture, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is very tender but not falling apart, about 15 minutes. With a slotted spoon carefully transfer eggplant to a bowl. Boil liquid remaining in kettle, skimming froth, until reduced to about 1/2 cup and add sauce to eggplant.
• Serve eggplant warm or at room temperature with some sauce and garnished with gingerroot, cilantro, and sprouts.

JAPANESE EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SAUTE

Steps:

• Combine Soy sauce, mirin, crushed garlic and ginger in a bowl.
• Slice your eggplant thinly and into small pieces.
• Toss eggplant in hot pan (I use a spray oil like Pam) with the sauce mixture.
• Sauté at a medium heat until very tender, about 10 minutes.
• Add a little water to keep the veg moist if necessary.
• Great as a side dish for fish or chicken.
• Add diced medium firm tofu or any other protein for a very simple, quick meal.