Japanese Eggplant Aubergine With Tofu Recipes

CRISPY SZECHUAN-STYLE EGGPLANT AND TOFU

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, combine 2/3 cup of the cornstarch, the salt and pepper. Toss the eggplant pieces in the cornstarch mixture to coat, shaking off the excess; set aside. Repeat the process with the tofu.
• Heat 1/2 inch of the peanut oil in a large, deep, straight-sided skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Working in batches, cook the eggplant first, tossing gently until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining eggplant and the tofu.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, lime juice and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
• Carefully drain the oil from the skillet, and wipe out any residue using paper towels held with tongs. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to the skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the ginger, about 1 teaspoon of the minced chiles (or to taste) and the garlic. Cook, stirring, until just fragrant, about 30 seconds; pour in the chicken stock mixture and bring it to a simmer. Simmer until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the cooked eggplant and tofu to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Stir in the sesame oil and remove from the heat. Serve immediately over rice and garnished with the remaining minced chiles if desired and chopped cilantro.

JAPANESE EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SAUTE

Steps:

• Combine Soy sauce, mirin, crushed garlic and ginger in a bowl.
• Slice your eggplant thinly and into small pieces.
• Toss eggplant in hot pan (I use a spray oil like Pam) with the sauce mixture.
• Sauté at a medium heat until very tender, about 10 minutes.
• Add a little water to keep the veg moist if necessary.
• Great as a side dish for fish or chicken.
• Add diced medium firm tofu or any other protein for a very simple, quick meal.

JAPANESE EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) TANAKA AND DASHI

Steps:

• HOW TO MAKE THE EGGPLANT: Wash eggplant, but do not peel.
• Cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan.
• Add the cubes of eggplant and saute over high heat until lightly browned here and there.
• This should take about 2 minutes.
• Add the remaining ingredients.
• Stir well, cover pan and simmer over low heat until eggplant is tender and sauce is just a bit thicker.
• Serves 2.
• HOW TO MAKE THE DASHI: Bring the water to a fast rolling boil.
• Add kombu seaweed.
• Stir for 2 to 3 minutes to release its flavour.
• Then remove with a slotted spoon (leaving it in the soup would make it too strong).
• Bring the water back to a fast rolling boil and add the bonito shavings.
• Bring back to the boil, then quickly remove from the heat.
• Let the bonito shavings settle in the bottom of the pan---this usually takes 2 to 3 minutes.
• Strain; now the dashi, or broth, is ready to use.
• Yield: 6 cups.
• *InJapan it is used as much as we use salt, and it is a vegetable protein derivative.
• If you wish to use it, look for the Japanese type in Oriental shops.
• **Kombu:Kelp or dried seaweed tangle, which is one of two most basic and important ingredients for making soup stock (dashi).
• ***Shreddeddried bonito (a fish), the other essential for basic stock (dashi).
• Can be purchased in one piece, then grated, or already grated and packaged, which is much more convenient.
• DASHI: This soup stock is the base for almost all Japanese dishes, so it is important to learn how to make it.
• Chicken stock can replace dashi, but a certain flavour will be missing.
• Madame Benoit's World of Food.

EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) AND TOFU SATAY

Steps:

• curry paste:.
• grind all the ingredients together until you have a paste. Store in the refrigerator in a screw top jar for up to 2 weeks.
• skewers:.
• Mix 3 tbsp green curry paste together with 1 tbsp groundnut oil. Cut the tofu and eggplant into 1/2 inch cubes and thread onto 12 short wooden skewers. Lay flat on a plate and pour over the paste mixture to coat well, rubbing the eggplant and tofu all over. Leave for 30 minutes minimum (or overnight), covered in the fridge to marinade.
• Brush the vegetables with a the remaining oil and grill under a medium heat until golden.
• satay sauce:.
• Heat the oil in a small saucepan and fry the shallot, garlic, chillies and spices for about 5 minutes until tender.
• Mix the peanut butter with a little warm water to make a thinner paste and add to the pan, together with the coconut milk.
• Bring to the boil, then simmer until the sauce thickens. Season with lime juice and salt to taste. Divide between 4 small bowls.
• Serve the skewers on individual plates with a small bowl of satay sauce.
• Or you can simply buy the curry and the satay to cut time but check your ingredients some carry fish.

JAPANESE GRILLED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) (YAKI NASU)

Steps:

• Bring seasoning ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan and let cool.
• Bring sauce to a boil in a small saucepan and let cool.
• Grill eggplants whole on a wire rack on grill until they are soft and feel tender.
• Test with your finger or a toothpick to see how soft it is.
• Place in cold water to cool; then peel and pat dry.
• Put eggplant in seasoning liquid; allow to sit for at least 10 minutes.
• Remove eggplant and cut into bite-size pieces.
• Place eggplant into serving dish; top with some sauce and a few bonito flakes; serve at room temperature or chilled.