Chewy and Delicious Dried Eggplant Rice: A Summer Delicacy
Chewy Dried Eggplant Rice Cooked with Summer Eggplant
This dried eggplant rice is made with fresh eggplants purchased at a great price during the summer and carefully dried. It has a wonderfully chewy texture and deep flavor that cannot be compared to fresh eggplant, making it an irresistible dish that will have you finishing your bowl in no time. It’s easy to make in a rice cooker, perfect for busy days when you want a satisfying meal.
Rice Ingredients- 2 handfuls dried eggplant (approx. 50g)
- 4 servings rice (approx. 2 cups)
- 200g minced beef
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare two handfuls of dried eggplant. Soak the dried eggplant in cold or lukewarm water for about 15-20 minutes until rehydrated. Squeeze out excess water and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 cm). Adjust soaking time based on how dry the eggplant is.
Step 2
Rinse the rice and place it in the rice cooker. It’s best to use slightly less water than you normally would. Spread the rehydrated eggplant evenly over the rice.
Step 3
Add the 200g of minced beef on top of the rehydrated eggplant. You can also use minced pork or chicken.
Step 4
Prepare the seasoning sauce ingredients. Finely mince the Cheongyang chili pepper, removing the seeds. Separate the white and green parts of the green onion; thinly slice the white parts and finely mince the green parts. Finely chop the onion as well.
Step 5
In a bowl, combine 10 Tbsp soy sauce, minced Cheongyang chili pepper, minced green onion (green parts), 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 0.5 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp chili powder, 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds, and 1 Tbsp sesame oil. Mix well to create a delicious seasoning sauce. You can adjust the amount of soy sauce to your preference, or add a little gochujang (red chili paste) for extra spice.
Step 6
Cook the rice using the regular setting on a pressure cooker, or the mixed grain or brown rice setting on an electric rice cooker. Once the rice is cooked, do not let it rest; immediately use a rice paddle to gently mix the rice, eggplant, and beef. This process coats the rice grains with the flavors of all ingredients, enhancing the overall taste.
Step 7
Transfer the mixed eggplant rice to a bowl. Drizzle a generous amount of the prepared seasoning sauce over the top. While it’s delicious on its own, serving it with kimchi or simple side dishes will make for an even more delightful meal. Enjoy your delicious eggplant rice with its chewy eggplant, savory beef, and flavorful sauce!
