Spicy Sesame Eggplant Food

SPICY SESAME EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Slice eggplant into 3/4-inch-thick rounds; cut each round into 3/4-inch-wide strips. Transfer to a broiler-proof rimmed baking sheet; toss with coarse salt and ground pepper.
• In a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients; drizzle over eggplant, and toss to coat. Spread in an even layer.
• Broil, tossing once, until eggplant is browned and tender, about 15 minutes.

SESAME EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Cut a Japanese eggplant (which is longer and more slender than the usual hulking kind) into small cubes and steam until tender. Dress with sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, the juice of half a lemon and salt to taste.

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 SALAD WITH SESAME OIL

Steps:

• Cook the eggplants in a covered steamer over rapidly boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then peel. Put the flesh in a fine meshed strainer to drain excess liquid.
• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, lime juice, salt and sugar. Add garlic, ginger, sesame oil, vegetable oil and hot pepper oil, if using.
• Put drained eggplants in a bowl. Using 2 forks, shred the eggplants a bit, then pour dressing over and toss, coating well. Leave to rest for 10 minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning.
• Just before serving, stir in chopped cilantro. Pile eggplants on a platter and sprinkle with scallions. Garnish with serrano chile, if using, and cilantro sprigs.

SPICY GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Toss eggplant with 1 teaspoon salt and drain in a colander, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes.
• Rinse eggplant under cold water and dry well, pressing out any excess moisture.
• Stir together mirin, soy sauce, ginger, and seven-spice powder.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then sauté eggplant until browned, about 8 minutes. Stir in mirin mixture and cook, gently stirring and turning frequently, until sauce becomes a glaze and eggplant is browned and tender, about 1 minute.
• Serve hot or at room temperature, sprinkled with chives.

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 STIR-FRIED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Heat oil in wok or large skillet on medium high.
• Add eggplant.
• After 1 minute, reduce heat to medium.
• Sprinkle with spice mixture.
• Stir.
• Cook, stirring frequently, for 15-20 minutes.
• Every minute, add about 1 T lemon-water.

SESAME-EGGPLANT SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Pierce eggplants all over with fork. Place on baking sheet. Roast in oven until eggplants are very soft and deflated, turning once, about 1 hour. Cool slightly.
• Cut eggplants in half; scrape flesh into strainer set over large bowl (do not allow bottom of strainer to touch bowl). Let eggplant drain 30 minutes. Transfer eggplant to processor. Using on/off turns, process until almost smooth.
• Heat vegetable oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3/4 cup green onions, ginger, garlic and chili-garlic sauce; sauté just until onions soften, about 45 seconds. Stir in brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar and lemon juice. Bring to simmer, stirring constantly. Mix in eggplant puree and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in tomatoes, 3/4 cup cilantro and sesame oil. Cool to room temperature. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to medium bowl. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Garnish eggplant salsa with 1 tablespoon each green onions and cilantro. Serve with Parmesan Pita Crisps.