Spicy and Sweet Stir-Fried Eggplant Recipe
Making a Delicious Side Dish with Eggplant: Spicy and Sweet Stir-Fried Eggplant
Many people dislike eggplant because of its unique texture! However, when cooked properly, it offers a wonderfully chewy and soft appeal. Today, we’ll make a spicy and sweet side dish using eggplant that will whet your appetite. Pay close attention to the cooking process starting from 09:18. This is a magical side dish that disappears from the table in no time!
Main Ingredients- 1 medium eggplant
- 1 tsp salt (for salting the eggplant)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the eggplant thoroughly and remove the stems. Then, cut it into bite-sized sticks. Cutting them slightly thicker will help them hold their shape better when stir-fried.
Step 2
Place the prepared eggplant in a bowl and sprinkle evenly with 1 tsp of salt. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to draw out moisture and soften the eggplant. This salting process removes excess water, preventing a mushy texture and enhancing its chewy consistency when cooked.
Step 3
While the eggplant is salting, let’s make the delicious seasoning! In a small bowl, combine 1 Tbsp minced garlic, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp cooking wine, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp gochujang, and 1/2 Tbsp corn syrup. Stir well until all ingredients are combined. Making this ahead of time can speed up the cooking process.
Step 4
Gently squeeze the salted eggplant with both hands to remove excess water. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this can break the eggplant; the key is to just press out the moisture.
Step 5
Heat 2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a frying pan over low heat. Add 1 Tbsp of gochugaru and stir-fry to release its aroma. Be careful not to burn the chili flakes, stirring continuously as the flavorful chili oil infuses the oil.
Step 6
Once the chili oil smells fragrant, add the squeezed eggplant to the pan and stir-fry over medium heat until the eggplant becomes translucent. Gently toss the eggplant as it cooks to ensure even cooking and prevent it from breaking apart.
Step 7
When the eggplant is tender and cooked through, add all the prepared seasoning to the pan. Stir-fry over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, ensuring the eggplant is evenly coated with the sauce. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 8
Finally, just before turning off the heat, drizzle in 1 tsp of sesame oil and sprinkle with 1 Tbsp of sesame seeds to finish. The nutty aroma of sesame oil and seeds will further enhance the flavor of your stir-fried eggplant. Enjoy your delicious meal!
