Chewy and Savory Steamed Eggplant with Perilla Powder
Eggplant Delights Part 2: Steamed Eggplant with Soybean Powder & Perilla Powder Seasoned Eggplant
This is the second installment of our eggplant recipe series! With the delicious combination of savory soybean powder and fragrant perilla powder, this vegetable side dish is wonderfully mild yet deeply flavorful, making it incredibly addictive. It’s an eggplant dish that even kids will love! We’re introducing Steamed Eggplant with Soybean Powder or Steamed Eggplant with Perilla Powder Seasoning.
Main Ingredients
- 3 eggplants (approx. 180g each)
- 1 tsp salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the 3 eggplants thoroughly under running water. Trim off the stems cleanly and set them aside.
Step 2
Prepare the raw soybean powder for a nutty flavor and the hulled perilla powder for its aromatic quality. Having the perilla powder ready beforehand makes it convenient to use in the final step of the dish.
Step 3
Cut each eggplant in half lengthwise first. Then, cut them crosswise into thick, bite-sized pieces, about 1.5-2 cm wide. This size is perfect for steaming evenly.
Step 4
Add 1 tsp of salt to the cut eggplants and mix well to coat. Let them sit for about 15 minutes to draw out moisture. This step helps to reduce any bitterness and improves the texture.
Step 5
Gently pat the moisture from the salted eggplants with a paper towel or let them drain in a sieve for a short while. Do not rinse the eggplants. *Although not a lot of water is released, this slight salting process significantly reduces the mushy texture characteristic of eggplant, resulting in a much better bite.
Step 6
Add about 50g of raw soybean powder to the drained eggplant pieces. Gently toss and mix until the soybean powder is evenly coated on all the eggplant pieces. *For easier coating, you can place the eggplant and soybean powder in a resealable bag and shake it well.
Step 7
Place the soybean-coated eggplant in a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 5 minutes. *Around the 3-minute mark, open the steamer and gently swap the position of the eggplants (top to bottom) to ensure they all cook evenly and tenderly.
Step 8
Arrange the steamed eggplant on a serving plate. Once slightly cooled but still warm, generously sprinkle the prepared perilla powder over the top. Your delicious ‘Steamed Eggplant with Perilla Powder’ is now complete! Enjoy this savory and chewy eggplant dish!
