Delicious Stir-Fried Eggplant: A Simple and Healthy Recipe
Stir-Fried Eggplant
Eggplant is packed with anthocyanins, great for eye health and reducing inflammation! This seasonal vegetable is incredibly versatile. Today, we’re making a delightful stir-fried eggplant dish, showcasing the best of this healthy ingredient.
Main Ingredients- 2 eggplants
- 1/2 onion
- 1 Korean chili pepper (optional, for a hint of spice)
- 1/4 bell pepper (any color)
- 1/2 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
Seasoning- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp plum extract (or a touch of sugar)
- 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp plum extract (or a touch of sugar)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing two fresh eggplants. Wash them thoroughly under running water and remove the stems.
Step 2
Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise.
Step 3
Next, slice them diagonally about 0.5 cm thick. Slicing them not too thin prevents them from breaking apart too much during cooking and ensures a pleasant texture.
Step 4
Place the sliced eggplants in a bowl. Sprinkle with 1/2 Tbsp salt and mix well. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to salt-cure. This process draws out excess moisture, preventing a watery stir-fry and improving the eggplant’s texture.
Step 5
While the eggplant is salting, thinly slice the onion, Korean chili pepper, and bell pepper. Feel free to use other vegetables you have on hand!
Step 6
After 10 minutes, you’ll notice that a good amount of water has been drawn out of the eggplant.
Step 7
Drain the salted eggplants in a colander to remove excess liquid.
Step 8
Gently squeeze the eggplants with your hands to remove any remaining moisture. This step is crucial for a better stir-fry.
Step 9
Now, let’s start stir-frying. Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add 1/2 Tbsp of minced garlic.
Step 10
Sauté the garlic until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. This infuses the oil with a delicious aroma.
Step 11
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the drained eggplant to the pan. Add the seasoning ingredients: 1/2 Tbsp fish sauce, 1/2 Tbsp oyster sauce, and 1/2 Tbsp plum extract. (If you don’t have fish sauce, soy sauce works too.)
Step 12
Turn the heat up to high and stir-fry for about 3 minutes, or until the eggplant becomes tender. Stir-frying on high heat helps the eggplant retain its shape and prevents it from becoming mushy.
Step 13
When the eggplant is almost cooked, add the sliced vegetables (onion, chili pepper, bell pepper) and stir-fry for another minute. This will keep the vegetables slightly crisp.
Step 14
For an extra touch of flavor, drizzle in a little perilla oil (Korean sesame oil) at the end, if desired.
Step 15
Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty flavor and visual appeal.
Step 16
And there you have it – a beautiful and delicious stir-fried eggplant dish!
Step 17
The combination of tender eggplant and crisp vegetables makes this dish a true delight. Perfect as a side dish for rice or even as a simple appetizer. Enjoy your homemade stir-fried eggplant!
