A Delicious One-Bowl Meal: Simple Eggplant Rice Bowl Recipe
Vegan Delight: How to Make a Flavorful Eggplant Rice Bowl Without Meat
Let’s make a fantastic meal using tender, seasonal eggplants! Even without meat, this dish offers a rich and savory flavor that makes one bowl of rice disappear in no time. This simple yet satisfying eggplant rice bowl is ready to be made!
Main Ingredients- 1 eggplant
- 1/4 onion
- 5cm green onion (scallion)
- 1 bowl cooked rice
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare all the ingredients needed for the eggplant rice bowl. Prepping the vegetables and making the sauce in advance can significantly reduce your cooking time.
Step 2
Let’s make the delicious sauce ahead of time to let it meld. In a bowl, combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 3 Tbsp water. Mix thoroughly until the sugar is completely dissolved. This step will deepen the flavor.
Step 3
Wash the eggplant thoroughly and cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 1.5 cm thick. Place the cut eggplant in the microwave and cook for about 2 minutes. Pre-cooking the eggplant makes it softer and prevents it from breaking apart too much when stir-fried later.
Step 4
Thinly slice the onion lengthwise. Slice the green onion diagonally, similar in thickness to the eggplant. Cutting the vegetables into similar sizes ensures even cooking and a visually appealing dish.
Step 5
Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and green onion and stir-fry until a fragrant aroma is released. It’s important to sauté them enough to bring out their natural sweetness.
Step 6
Once the onion and green onion become translucent and start to soften, add the pre-cooked eggplant to the pan. Gently stir-fry together for 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to mash the eggplant; gently tossing it is key to maintaining its texture.
Step 7
Now, add the prepared sauce in 2-3 additions, stirring to coat the eggplant evenly. Try to spread the eggplant out in the pan so it doesn’t overlap, ensuring the sauce is absorbed well. Continue to cook until the sauce thickens and glazes the eggplant.
Step 8
Finally, add a pinch of black pepper to taste. This will enhance the overall aroma and flavor of the dish. The subtle spiciness of the pepper complements the sweetness of the eggplant beautifully.
Step 9
Serve the warm cooked rice in a bowl. Generously top the rice with the delicious stir-fried eggplant. Don’t forget to spoon the flavorful sauce left in the pan over the rice. Your visually appealing and incredibly tasty eggplant rice bowl is now complete!
