Savory Homemade Stir-Fried Eggplant Recipe
How to Make Delicious Stir-Fried Eggplant
Last time, we made a steamed eggplant salad. This time, we’re preparing a side dish using regular eggplant: stir-fried eggplant. This recipe offers a delightful texture and rich umami flavor. Try making this simple yet incredibly satisfying dish at home!
Main Ingredients- 1/2 medium eggplant
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1/2 green onion (white part mainly)
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- A pinch of salt (for salting the eggplant)
Seasoning Sauce- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (can adjust sweetness)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru, adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce for soup (guk-ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (can adjust sweetness)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru, adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash and prepare the eggplant, onion, and green onion. Slice the eggplant into bite-sized pieces, about 1cm thick, into half-moons or wedges. Thinly slice the onion into strips and chop the green onion into bite-sized pieces or slice them diagonally.
Step 2
Place the sliced eggplant in a bowl and sprinkle with a pinch of coarse salt. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture. This step prevents the eggplant from becoming mushy when stir-fried and helps maintain a pleasant texture. After salting, rinse the eggplant lightly under running water to remove the salt, then gently squeeze out excess water by hand. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this can break the eggplant.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious seasoning sauce for our stir-fried eggplant! In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce for soup, 1 tablespoon of plum extract, 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes. Mix well until thoroughly combined. Plum extract adds a nice sweetness and depth of flavor, so it’s a great addition.
Step 4
Add the drained eggplant, sliced onion, and chopped green onion to a large bowl. Pour all the prepared seasoning sauce over the vegetables. Gently mix with your hands to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed among the eggplant. Avoid vigorous mixing, as this can cause the eggplant to break down. A gentle toss is key!
Step 5
Heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat. Add the seasoned eggplant and vegetables to the pan (no need to add oil initially, as the seasoning already contains sesame oil). Stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes, or until the eggplant is tender and cooked through. Keep stirring occasionally to prevent sticking or burning. If the pan seems too dry, you can add a tiny drizzle of sesame oil.
Step 6
Once the eggplant and vegetables are tender and fragrant, sprinkle generously with sesame seeds for an extra nutty aroma. Give it one final quick stir. Your delicious homemade stir-fried eggplant is now ready! It makes a wonderful side dish for rice or even a simple appetizer.
