Spicy & Savory Grilled Eggplant with Seasoned Ground Meat
An Easy, Moist, and Delicious ‘Rice Thief’ Dish: Spicy Seasoned Grilled Eggplant
Introducing the ‘Spicy Seasoned Grilled Eggplant,’ a dish that’s incredibly easy and quick to make, yet boasts a flavor so good it’ll disappear with your rice! Tender, moist eggplant is paired with a savory-sweet and spicy sauce, all complemented by seasoned ground meat. This dish is a true ‘rice thief’ that will have you reaching for more. Try this recipe to create a delightful meal with simple ingredients!
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants
- 150g ground meat (pork or beef)
- 1/2 small onion
- 3 Korean green chili peppers (cheongyang peppers)
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1/2 green onion stalk
Seasoning Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp anchovy sauce (or fish sauce)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp perilla oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp anchovy sauce (or fish sauce)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1/2 Tbsp perilla oil (or sesame oil)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The beauty of this dish lies in its ability to transform simple ingredients like a few eggplants, a bit of ground meat, and some basic vegetables into an absolutely fantastic side dish that vanishes with rice. It’s perfect for everyday meals, not just special occasions.
Step 2
First, lightly season the 150g of ground meat with a pinch of salt and some pepper. This pre-seasoning will help the flavors penetrate better when cooking.
Step 3
Let’s double-check all the ingredients for our Spicy Seasoned Grilled Eggplant. We have our star, 2 eggplants, the pre-seasoned 150g of ground meat, half an onion, 3 Korean green chili peppers, 1 red chili pepper, and half a stalk of green onion.
Step 4
Wash the two eggplants thoroughly. Then, cut them lengthwise in half. Make shallow cuts across the fleshy side (the cut side) of each half. Be careful not to cut all the way through, as this keeps the eggplant halves intact.
Step 5
Now, create a diamond pattern of crisscross cuts on the inner side of the eggplant halves. Make these cuts densely but not too deep. This scoring technique allows the seasoning to seep into the eggplant deeply and helps it cook evenly without becoming overly mushy, while still retaining tenderness.
Step 6
After making all the cuts, arrange the eggplant halves so that the cut sides are facing upwards and the two halves remain connected at the base. This will make it easier to fill with the ground meat mixture and apply the sauce later.
Step 7
Eggplant on its own can be quite mild in flavor, but it’s a wonderfully versatile ingredient that absorbs flavors beautifully when paired with meat and seasonings. With a delicious sauce, it transforms into a dish everyone will love.
Step 8
Let’s prepare the flavorful sauce that will make this dish shine! Combine 1 Tbsp soy sauce and 1 Tbsp anchovy sauce for umami depth. Add 1.5 Tbsp gochugaru for a pleasant spiciness, and balance it with 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic and 1/2 Tbsp sugar for flavor and sweetness. Finish with 1 Tbsp sesame seeds and 1/2 Tbsp perilla oil (or sesame oil) for a nutty aroma. Your perfect sauce is ready!
Step 9
Place the pre-seasoned ground meat into a pan with a little olive oil. Stir-fry over medium-high heat initially to sear the meat and lock in juices, then reduce to medium heat.
Step 10
It’s important to cook the ground meat until its moisture has evaporated. This process removes any gaminess and enhances its savory flavor.
Step 11
Once the ground meat is well-cooked and dry, add all the prepared seasoning mixture to the pan. Stir everything together thoroughly until the meat is evenly coated with the sauce.
Step 12
This delicious mixture of seasoned ground meat is the perfect partner to elevate the flavor of the eggplant. Our preparation is now complete!
Step 13
Now it’s time to cook the eggplant. Add a generous amount of olive oil to the pan and preheat it over medium heat. Cooking over medium heat allows the eggplant to become tender without burning.
Step 14
Place the scored eggplant halves into the hot pan, cut side down first. Cooking the scored side initially helps the seasoning absorb even better into the eggplant.
Step 15
Once one side of the eggplant is golden brown, flip them over and cook the other side until evenly browned. Continue cooking until the eggplant is tender throughout.
Step 16
Carefully spoon the seasoned ground meat mixture onto the cooked eggplant halves, filling the cut surfaces. Try to distribute it evenly without breaking the eggplant.
Step 17
Once the filling is in place, cover the pan with a lid. Reduce the heat to medium-low or low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. This steaming and simmering process allows the eggplant to become incredibly moist and absorb all the delicious flavors.
Step 18
After 20 minutes, lift the lid. You’ll see some liquid has formed in the pan. Now, remove the lid and continue to simmer over medium-low heat, allowing about half of the liquid to evaporate. Be careful not to overcook; taste and adjust the consistency as needed.
Step 19
Thanks to the diamond cuts, the eggplant holds its shape beautifully without becoming too soft. The seasoning penetrates deeply, resulting in a wonderfully moist and flavorful dish. Your Spicy Seasoned Grilled Eggplant is ready!
Step 20
This dish features tender eggplant and savory ground meat, all coated in a delicious spicy-sweet sauce. It looks as good as it tastes and is perfect as an appetizer with drinks or as a hearty side dish with rice.
Step 21
This seasoned grilled eggplant truly shines when served with a bowl of hot rice. Placing a piece on top of your rice and taking a bite creates a burst of rich flavor that will bring pure joy.
Step 22
Take a bite, and you’ll first experience the delightful sweet and savory notes of the sauce. Then, the moist, infused eggplant will melt in your mouth like ice cream – a truly unforgettable sensation!
Step 23
As the last day of September arrives, amidst the busyness of life, we hope you find moments of joy and comfort through delicious food. We sincerely wish and pray that October brings you the fulfillment of all your hopes and dreams. Keep going!
