Simple Grilled Eggplant Salad Recipe
Say Goodbye to Mushy Textures! Delicious Grilled Eggplant Salad with Savory Seasoning
Eggplant can be a polarizing vegetable, often disliked for its mushy texture. However, this recipe transforms eggplant into a delightful dish. By lightly grilling the eggplant before mixing it with a flavorful sauce, we achieve a tender, slightly chewy texture with a savory exterior and a moist interior. It’s the perfect side dish for any meal! This quick and easy grilled eggplant salad can be prepared in under 10 minutes, making it ideal for beginner cooks. Give it a try and enjoy a wonderfully delicious side dish!
Main Ingredients- 2 eggplants
- A pinch of toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Flavorful Seasoning Sauce- 1/2 stalk of green onion (white part preferred, finely chopped)
- 4 cloves of garlic (minced, about 1/2 Tbsp)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 4 tsp soy sauce (regular, not soup soy sauce)
- 1/2 stalk of green onion (white part preferred, finely chopped)
- 4 cloves of garlic (minced, about 1/2 Tbsp)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 4 tsp soy sauce (regular, not soup soy sauce)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the eggplants thoroughly. Then, cut them into bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 1.5 cm thick. You can cut them into half-moons or diagonally. Finely slice the white part of the green onion for the seasoning.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine all the seasoning ingredients: the chopped green onion, minced garlic, sugar, gochugaru, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Mix them well with a spoon until the sauce is evenly blended. Letting the sauce sit for a moment will help the flavors meld.
Step 3
Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat without adding any oil. Place the sliced eggplant in the pan. Grill the eggplant for about 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until the surface turns slightly golden and the eggplant softens. If you prefer a firmer texture, you can grill it a bit longer until the exterior is slightly crisp.
Step 4
Transfer the grilled eggplant to a large bowl. Pour all the prepared seasoning sauce over the eggplant. Gently toss everything together with a spoon or spatula, being careful not to mash the eggplant, to ensure the sauce is evenly distributed.
Step 5
Finally, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds generously over the top for added aroma and a beautiful presentation. This completes your delicious grilled eggplant salad! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
