Eggplant and Minced Meat Pancakes (Two Ways for Holidays)
Elevate Your Holiday Feast: Two Creative Ways to Make Eggplant and Minced Meat Pancakes
Pancakes are a must-have for any holiday gathering! Instead of the usual, we’re introducing two unique holiday pancake recipes featuring fresh eggplant and flavorful minced meat. The combination of tender eggplant and savory meat creates a dish that everyone, young and old, will adore.
Main Ingredients- 2 eggplants
- 400g minced pork
- 1 green chili pepper
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1/2 white part of a green onion
Seasoning & Other Ingredients- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2-3 Tbsp potato starch
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2-3 Tbsp potato starch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare two eggplants. First, thinly slice the eggplants diagonally into about 0.5cm thick pieces. Then, cut these diagonal slices into long, stick-like shapes (about 3-4cm long) to prepare for the ‘Eggplant Donggeurangttaeng’ style. For the other eggplant, slice it into round, flat pieces about 1cm thick for the ‘Eggplant Jeon’ style. Sprinkle 4-5 pinches of salt over both types of cut eggplant and let them sit for 5 minutes to draw out moisture and reduce bitterness, which also improves their texture.
Step 2
After 5 minutes, lightly rinse the salted eggplant under running water. Pat the rinsed eggplant thoroughly dry with paper towels or a clean cloth. It’s crucial to remove as much moisture as possible, as excess water can prevent the filling from adhering well and cause the pancakes to absorb too much oil.
Step 3
Place the 400g of minced pork in a bowl. Use paper towels to gently press down and squeeze out any excess liquid or blood from the minced meat. Removing moisture from the meat will help the seasonings penetrate better and result in more flavorful pancakes. Add 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp cooking wine, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 tsp salt, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, and 2-3 Tbsp potato starch to the bowl. The potato starch will help bind the mixture and give the pancakes a firmer texture. Finely mince the green chili pepper, red chili pepper, and the white part of the green onion, then add them to the bowl. Mix everything thoroughly with your hands, kneading until the mixture becomes sticky and well-combined, forming a cohesive meat filling.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the ‘Eggplant Donggeurangttaeng’. Take the stick-shaped eggplant pieces (prepared in step 1) and spread the meat filling (from step 2) evenly over them using a spoon or your hands. Ensure the filling covers the entire surface, filling any nooks and crannies. Spreading the meat filling thinly will make it easier to cook and taste better.
Step 5
Next, we’ll make the ‘Eggplant Jeon’. Take the round, flat eggplant slices (prepared in step 1) and place a portion of the meat filling (from step 2) onto each slice. Gently shape the filling into a round patty and press it lightly onto the eggplant. Make sure the filling size is appropriate for the eggplant slices; if the filling is too large, it will take longer to cook thoroughly.
Step 6
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the ‘Eggplant Donggeurangttaeng’ (from step 3) into the pan. Cook slowly over medium-low heat. If the heat is too high, the outside will burn before the inside is cooked. It’s essential to cook them slowly over medium-low heat, flipping them to ensure they are evenly golden brown and the meat is fully cooked through.
Step 7
Cook the ‘Eggplant Jeon’ (from step 4) in the same manner. Place the eggplant-topped with filling into the oiled pan, and cook over medium-low heat, flipping occasionally until both sides are golden brown and the filling is completely cooked. For both types of pancakes, slow and steady cooking over medium-low heat is key to achieving tender eggplant and perfectly cooked, delicious meat. These homemade eggplant pancakes will add a special touch to your holiday table.
