Sizzling Spicy Chinese Eggplant Delight 🌶️🍆

Hot Chinese Eggplant (Aubergine) Recipe 🍆

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 6

Description:

Indulge in the exotic flavors of Hot Chinese Eggplant (Aubergine) with this delightful recipe. With a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy notes, this dish is sure to tantalize your taste buds. It’s easy to prepare and ideal for those looking for a low-cholesterol option, all in under an hour!

Ingredients:

2 eggplants
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
1/2 cup sherry wine
1 1/2 cups water
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons fresh ginger
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Oil for stir-frying

Instructions:

Prepare Eggplant: Begin by cutting the unpeeled eggplant into sticks, approximately 3/4 inch by 3/4 inch by 2 inches.
Drain Eggplant: Place the eggplant strips in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Toss to ensure even coating and let them drain for about 30 minutes.
Rinse and Squeeze: After 30 minutes, rinse the eggplant strips to remove the salt. Squeeze gently to remove excess water.
Prepare Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, hot red pepper flakes, sherry wine, and water. Mix well to create a flavorful sauce.
Heat Oil: Heat oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering.
Stir-fry: Add the prepared eggplant sticks, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the hot oil. Stir-fry for about 3 minutes, ensuring the eggplant is evenly coated with the aromatic garlic and ginger.
Add Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the stir-fried eggplant mixture. Stir well to coat the eggplant evenly with the sauce.
Simmer: Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for approximately 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Thicken Sauce: Gradually increase the heat to medium-high and continue cooking until the sauce reduces to a thick glaze consistency, coating the eggplant beautifully.
Garnish and Serve: Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, garnish the hot Chinese eggplant with sesame seeds for a delightful crunch and added flavor. Serve immediately to enjoy the dish at its freshest and most flavorful.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

Calories: 127.1
Fat Content: 5.2g
Saturated Fat Content: 0.9g
Cholesterol Content: 0.2mg
Sodium Content: 471.6mg
Carbohydrate Content: 16.1g
Fiber Content: 6.6g
Sugar Content: 6.8g
Protein Content: 3g

Recipe Notes:

For added depth of flavor, consider marinating the eggplant sticks in the sauce mixture for 10-15 minutes before stir-frying.
Adjust the level of heat by increasing or decreasing the amount of hot red pepper flakes according to your preference.
Serve this dish as a flavorful side to your favorite Chinese-inspired main course or enjoy it as a standalone vegetarian option.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating gently before serving to maintain optimal texture and flavor.