Thai Charred Eggplant 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.

SPICY THAI EGGPLANT & TOFU

Steps:

• Put water on to boil according to rice noodle directions.
• Food prep: Slice tofu into bite sized pieces, cut eggplant into bite sized pieces, dice onion & mince garlic.
• In a large skillet, add EVOO, garlic and onions. Allow to cook for 2 minutes to soften.
• Add tofu, eggplant, brocoli, spice & enough peanut sauce to coat (this should all simmer for about five minutes).
• When noodles are finished, add noodles to mix and toss in peanuts and/or cashews as well as more peanut sauce if needed to coat.
• Bon apetit!
• *I use the microwave bags of brocoli to keep from dirtying another dish. Also, my husband likes chicken in his, so I will sometimes cook a chicken breast in the EVOO before preparing the meal and then slice that up to add to his bowl.

THAI CHARRED EGGPLANT WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Preheat the grill for high heat.
• Oil the grill grate, and cook the eggplants on all sides until charred and black, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and place on a rack to cool. Peel, slice diagonally, and set aside.
• In a food processor or blender, combine the chile peppers, garlic, cilantro, onion, sugar, and lime juice. Process until smooth.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat, and add the chile mixture. Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 1 minute. Gently stir in the tofu, 1/4 cup of basil, and the eggplant. Cook until heated through. Remove to a serving dish, and garnish with the remaining basil.

THAI CHARRED EGGPLANT WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Preheat the grill for high heat.
• Oil the grill grate, and cook the eggplants on all sides until charred and black, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and place on a rack to cool. Peel, slice diagonally, and set aside.
• In a food processor or blender, combine the chile peppers, garlic, cilantro, onion, sugar, and lime juice. Process until smooth.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat, and add the chile mixture. Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 1 minute. Gently stir in the tofu, 1/4 cup of basil, and the eggplant. Cook until heated through. Remove to a serving dish, and garnish with the remaining basil.

THAI CHARRED EGGPLANT WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Preheat the grill for high heat.
• Oil the grill grate, and cook the eggplants on all sides until charred and black, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and place on a rack to cool. Peel, slice diagonally, and set aside.
• In a food processor or blender, combine the chile peppers, garlic, cilantro, onion, sugar, and lime juice. Process until smooth.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat, and add the chile mixture. Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 1 minute. Gently stir in the tofu, 1/4 cup of basil, and the eggplant. Cook until heated through. Remove to a serving dish, and garnish with the remaining basil.

THAI EGGPLANT CURRY WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or skillet and saute eggplant in batches on both sides until browned, 3 to 5 minutes per side, adding more oil as needed.
• Combine cilantro roots, onion, chile peppers, garlic, sugar, lime juice, and fish sauce in a mortar; crush with a pestle into a soft paste.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or skillet over high heat, add curry paste and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add eggplant, cover, and cook for 3 minutes. Mix in tofu and Thai basil.

CHARRED EGGPLANT WITH BURRATA AND FRIED CAPERS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan or skillet, heat ¼ cup olive oil over medium-high until it shimmers, about 1 minute. Meanwhile, dry the capers very well by wrapping them in paper towels or a clean dish towel and wringing out the moisture. (If there is too much moisture, the oil will sputter aggressively.) Line a plate or tray with paper towels or a clean dish towel.
• When the oil is ready, carefully drop the capers in and fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden. (Watch closely, as smaller capers will cook more quickly.) Remove the capers from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on the lined plate. They will crisp up further as they cool.
• Transfer the caper-infused oil to a large heatproof bowl and set aside to cool for a few minutes.
• Lay the disks of eggplant on a large cutting board or sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil, flip over and drizzle the other side. Heat a large (12-inch) grill pan or cast-iron skillet on medium-high. (See Tip for grilling instructions.) When hot, working in batches, add the eggplant disks in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes, pressing the eggplant into the pan to encourage browning. Flip, reduce heat to medium and cook on the other side for another 2 to 3 minutes, until completely tender. (The eggplant continues to soften as it soaks up the marinade in the next step, so don't be tempted to overcook.) Remove the eggplant from the pan and place them back on the cutting board or plate. Continue cooking the remaining eggplant.
• Meanwhile, to the bowl with the cooled caper-infused oil, add the herbs, garlic, red-pepper flakes, lemon zest and juice, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and a few pinches of black pepper. Toss to combine and taste, making sure it has enough salt. Add the warm eggplant slices to the oil and gently toss to coat. Allow to marinate for at least 5 minutes (see Tip).
• Serve this on one large platter or as four separate servings. Place the burrata (for single servings, halve each ball of burrata) on the plate along with the eggplant and top with any remaining marinade and the fried capers, and scatter with fresh herbs.

THAI CHARRED EGGPLANT WITH TOFU

Steps:

• Preheat the grill for high heat.
• Oil the grill grate, and cook the eggplants on all sides until charred and black, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and place on a rack to cool. Peel, slice diagonally, and set aside.
• In a food processor or blender, combine the chile peppers, garlic, cilantro, onion, sugar, and lime juice. Process until smooth.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat, and add the chile mixture. Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 1 minute. Gently stir in the tofu, 1/4 cup of basil, and the eggplant. Cook until heated through. Remove to a serving dish, and garnish with the remaining basil.