Stir Fried Asian Eggplant Food

CHINESE EGGPLANT WITH GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
• Wash the eggplants, cut the ends off and slice them into equal sized pieces. After slicing, separate the green and white portions of the scallions into roughly two piles.
• Over very high heat, heat a tablespoon of oil in your wok. Add half of the eggplant and let it sear until brown on all sides. You can lower the heat if it looks like they're starting to burn. You want to cook the eggplant for about 5 minutes until they start to get soft and have a nice sear. Take this first batch of eggplant out of the pan, heat a second tablespoon of oil, and do the same with your second batch. Set all the cooked eggplant aside on a plate.
• Set the heat to medium high and add the last tablespoon of oil to the wok, along with the ground pork. After the pork has browned, add the ginger and cook for a minute to let it crystalize with the pork. Stir in the whole red chili peppers and the minced garlic, and after a minute, turn the heat back up to high. Add the eggplant back in, along with the stir-fry sauce, the white parts of the scallions, and the shaoxing wine. Stir-fry everything together for another 2 minutes, making sure everything is well-combined.
• Toss in the rest of the scallions and stir-fry for another 20 seconds. Plate and serve immediately with white rice.

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.

ASIAN EGGPLANT AND NOODLE STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Cook noodles according to packet instructions, drain and set aside.
• Heat a little vegetable oil over a medium flame in a wok, and saute the onion, garlic and chilli, stirring frequently for 2 to 3 minutes. When the onion is soft, remove from wok and set aside.
• Increase heat and add 2 tablespoons oil. Stir fry eggplant in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly until golden brown. Remove from pan and set aside.
• Add remaining vegetable oil to wok with the brown sugar and cook 3 minutes until caramelized - be careful not to burn.
• Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil and fish sauce and stir until heated through.
• Add noodles to the wok with the onion mixture and eggplants, and toss to coat with the sauce. Taste and add a little extra brown sugar if desired.
• Serve garnished with spring onions and seasoned with a little salt (optional) and freshly ground pepper, to taste.

ASIAN CHICKEN AND JAPANESE EGGPLANT STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Combine marinade ingredients and marinate chicken for a minimum of 2 hours in the refrigerator.
• In a large wok, heat 2 tablespoons oil for 20 seconds. Add chicken and stir quickly (separating chicken) for 30 seconds. Remove chicken and drain.
• Place 2 tablespoons garlic and red bell pepper in wok and cook for 5 seconds. Add cooking wine, soy sauce, oyster sauce and water to wok. Slice off eggplant stem and slice eggplant. Add eggplant and stir until the mixture boils. Turn heat to low, cover and cook 2-3 minutes (make sure mixture does not run dry). After 2 minutes check to see if eggplant is tender; then add cornstarch mixture slowly. Return chicken to wok; stir and fold until mixed well with sauce again. Add green onion and sesame oil and stir & fold until thoroughly mixed.
• Serve with steamed or fried rice.