Microwave Steamed Eggplant Salad
Easy Microwave Steamed Eggplant Recipe with Savory Seasoning
A simple eggplant dish you can easily make without using the stove on a hot day. Enjoy this quick and easy steamed eggplant made in the microwave! 🙂
Main Ingredients- 2 eggplants
- 1/2 stalk green onion
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1 green chili pepper
Seasoning- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp red pepper flakes (gochugaru)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp perilla oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To ensure the eggplants are fresh and to remove any residual pesticides, fill a bowl with plenty of water and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Soak the prepared eggplants for about 5 minutes, then rinse them thoroughly under running water and pat dry.
Step 2
Trim off the tough stem ends of the washed eggplants. Cut each eggplant lengthwise in half, then cut each half into 2 or 3 pieces, making them a suitable size for the microwave.
Step 3
Arrange the cut eggplant pieces in a microwave-safe steaming dish or bowl. Cover with a lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, making a few small holes. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. (Microwave power can vary, so start checking around 2 minutes and 30 seconds to adjust the cooking time.)
Step 4
After 3 minutes, you’ll have perfectly steamed, moist eggplant. Carefully remove the dish from the microwave, as it will be very hot. Let it cool down slightly before handling. Be cautious to avoid burns.
Step 5
While the eggplant is cooling, let’s prepare the flavorful seasoning. Finely chop the green onion. Cut the red and green chili peppers in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and then mince them. Finely chopping the vegetables helps the seasoning penetrate the eggplant better.
Step 6
In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, 4 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds, and 1 tablespoon of fragrant perilla oil. Add the chopped green onion and chili peppers, and mix well with a spoon to create the seasoning sauce.
Step 7
Now, it’s time to prepare the cooled steamed eggplant for seasoning. Gently shred the eggplant into bite-sized pieces using chopsticks or your hands. Lightly squeeze out any excess moisture from the shredded eggplant; this will help the seasoning absorb better.
Step 8
Add the prepared seasoning sauce to the shredded eggplant. Put on a pair of clean disposable gloves and gently toss the eggplant with the sauce. Be careful not to mash the eggplant as you mix. Once evenly coated with the delicious seasoning, your microwave steamed eggplant salad is ready to be enjoyed with a warm bowl of rice!