Best Szechuan Style Eggplant Recipes

CRISPY SZECHUAN-STYLE EGGPLANT AND TOFU

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, combine 2/3 cup of the cornstarch, the salt and pepper. Toss the eggplant pieces in the cornstarch mixture to coat, shaking off the excess; set aside. Repeat the process with the tofu.
• Heat 1/2 inch of the peanut oil in a large, deep, straight-sided skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Working in batches, cook the eggplant first, tossing gently until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining eggplant and the tofu.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, lime juice and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
• Carefully drain the oil from the skillet, and wipe out any residue using paper towels held with tongs. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to the skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the ginger, about 1 teaspoon of the minced chiles (or to taste) and the garlic. Cook, stirring, until just fragrant, about 30 seconds; pour in the chicken stock mixture and bring it to a simmer. Simmer until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the cooked eggplant and tofu to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Stir in the sesame oil and remove from the heat. Serve immediately over rice and garnished with the remaining minced chiles if desired and chopped cilantro.

SZECHUAN-STYLE EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Toss eggplant in colander with salt; let stand 30 minutes.
• Rinse off salt and pat eggplant dry with paper towels; set aside.
• Place green onion in work bowl of food processor with steel knife.
• With machine running, drop ginger and garlic through feed tube and mince finely.
• Combine peanut oil, 1 tablespoon sesame oil and dried red pepper flakes in wok or heavy 12 inch skillet over high heat and cook until pepper flakes turn black.
• Add green onion mixture and stir fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add eggplant and toss to coat with oil.
• Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook until eggplant softens, shaking wok occasionally to prevent sticking, 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, blend Sherry, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce and chili paste in work bowl 3 seconds.
• Add Sherry mixture to wok and stir 2 minutes.
• Dissolve cornstarch in 1 teaspoon sesame oil and add to wok.
• Stir until sauce is glossy, about 15 more seconds.
• Serve immediately.

SZECHUAN-STYLE EGGPLANT AND TOFU IN CHILI BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a wok with the oil over a high heat. Stir-fry the garlic and ginger for about 30 seconds.
• Add the eggplant to the wok and continue frying for 2-3 minutes.
• Pour over 500ml of water, followed by the chilli bean sauce, soy sauce and tofu. Simmer for another 1-2 minutes, garnish with spring onions and serve immediately with steamed rice.

SZECHUAN-STYLE TOFU WITH EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Heat the olive and sesame oils in a stir-fry pan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté over medium-low heat until golden.
• Meanwhile, cut the Japanese eggplants into 1/4-inch-thick slices. If using regular eggplant, quarter it lengthwise, then cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
• Cut the tofu into 6 slabs crosswise. Blot well with paper towels, then cut into narrow strips.
• Add the eggplant and tofu to the pan, followed by the wine, hoisin sauce, ginger, and 1/4 cup water. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until the eggplant is nearly tender. Lift the lid once or twice during that time to stir. Cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes longer, or until the liquid has been completely reduced.
• Add the bok choy and stir-fry, uncovered, for just a minute or two, until warmed. Season to taste with soy sauce and chile oil. Serve at once.
• menu suggestions
• It's nice to serve this hearty dish over cooked quick grains (like whole-wheat couscous or quinoa) or Asian noodles. Or, if you have the time, cook some brown rice-that's how I like it best. Since this isn't a colorful dish, you'll need something to liven up the plate. Broccoli with Pine Nuts or Almonds (page 204) or Stir-Fried Baby Carrots (page 206) would be a good choice. A few cherry or grape tomatoes or pickled beets add interest to the plate as well.
• If you'd prefer something raw and crunchy to go with this, choose Bok Choy, Red Cabbage, and Carrot Salad (page 176), Fruitful Red Slaw (page 177), or Mixed Greens with Sprouts, Apple, and Daikon (page 179). A bed of noodles or grain would be welcome with this menu, too.
• nutrition information
• Calories: 155
• Total Fat: 8g
• Protein: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 270mg

SZECHUAN-STYLE EGGPLANT

Steps:

• In a wok, heat the oil to hot and stir-fry the egglant 3-5 minutes until tender. Remove to a colander lined with paper towels to drain off excess oil. Dissolve cornstarch in the broth. Add to the wok the garlic, gingerroot, chili paste, hoisin sauce, vinegar and sherry and stir-fry 30 second. Add the scallions and stir fry another 30 seconds. Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch mixture (stirred) , bell pepper, and the cooked eggplant and stir-fry another minute or until the eggplant has absorbed most of the liquid. Remove from wok into a serving bowl, add the sesame oil and a bit of salt to taste. Delicious hot or chilled. Can also be served as a chunky dip with toasted pita chips