Soft Steamed Eggplant Salad
Super Simple and Delicious Steamed Eggplant Salad Recipe
Hello everyone, this is Gurumdalbit! Today, I’m sharing a super easy recipe for steamed eggplant salad, known for its wonderfully soft texture. Eggplant is a versatile ingredient that can be stir-fried, deep-fried, or even used in cold soups. This steamed eggplant salad, however, is particularly simple to make – just steam it until tender and toss with seasonings! I remember not being a fan of eggplant dishes as a child, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate the deliciousness of eggplant and find myself craving it more often. Since eggplant is in season right now, it’s a great time to enjoy this healthy and tasty dish. Steamed eggplant is a wonderful side dish, and it’s also delicious mixed into bibimbap when you don’t have many side dishes available. While many people use microwaves for convenience, steaming it in a steamer basket truly brings out the eggplant’s natural softness. Be careful not to overcook the eggplant, as it can become mushy. Let’s get started!
Ingredients- 1 eggplant
- A little green onion (finely chopped)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the green onion. Finely chop the green onion to add a fragrant aroma. If you prefer a milder flavor and want to avoid any sharpness, mincing it very finely is a good option. This way, you can retain the onion’s flavor without an overpowering taste.
Step 2
Next, we’ll prepare the eggplant. Cut the eggplant into approximately 5cm (2-inch) lengths for easy steaming. Then, slice each piece in half lengthwise, and cut each half into three pieces. This will create bite-sized portions that are perfect for eating. Of course, you can cut the eggplant into any size you prefer, based on your own taste and convenience.
Step 3
Once the eggplant is cut, it’s time to steam it. Add water to your steamer pot and bring it to a boil over high heat. Then, place the cut eggplant in the steamer basket, cover with a lid, and steam for about 3 minutes. Eggplant cooks very quickly, so there’s no need to steam it for a long time. To check if the eggplant is cooked perfectly, gently poke it with a chopstick. If it leaves an indentation or feels very soft and tender, it’s ready. After steaming, it’s important to let the eggplant cool down slightly before seasoning. If you season it immediately or steam it too much, the skin and flesh might separate, making the salad look less appealing.
Step 4
While the eggplant is cooling, let’s make the seasoning. Since we’re using only one eggplant, we don’t need a large amount of seasoning. In a bowl, combine the sesame seeds, sesame oil, minced garlic, and soy sauce. Mix them well to create a flavorful seasoning paste. You can adjust the ratio of these ingredients slightly to suit your personal taste.
Step 5
This is the final step! Add the cooled, steamed eggplant to the bowl with the prepared seasoning. Gently toss everything together until the eggplant is evenly coated with the seasoning. Be careful not to mash the eggplant too much while mixing. And there you have it – a delicious and healthy steamed eggplant salad ready to be enjoyed!
