Yalla Market
Sichuan Eggplant Recipe
Chinese
⏱ 2 h 10 min
Hard
Sichuan Eggplant — a classic Chinese Vegetarian.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds sliced Egg Plants
- 2 tablespoons Peanut Oil
- 1/4 cup Chicken Stock Buy: Maggi Chicken Stock Pack · ₺167.99
- 2 tsp Sugar Buy: First Green Mint Sugar free Gum · ₺39.99
- 1/2 tsp Soy Sauce Buy: Soy Sauce · ₺231.99
- 1 ½ tbsp Chilli Bean Paste
- 2 tsp Sichuan Pepper
- 2 tsp Ginger Buy: Adeni Ginger Tea · ₺29.99
- 5 cloves Garlic Buy: Garlic Marinated Chicken · ₺149.99
- 1 tsp Cornstarch
- 2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 4 Chopped Scallions
- Garnish Cilantro
Preparation
- This recipe calls for asian eggplants, or Japanese eggplants.
- They are long and thin compared to a European or globe eggplant, and much more tender and delicate.
- If you can't find them you can substitute globe eggplant, but the dish is really best with the asian eggplant.
- *A lot of grocery stores have Asian ingredient aisles now.
- You should be able to find chili-bean paste, a mixture of preserved chilies mixed with mashed soybeans, there or at any Asian market. (Do not confuse with black bean paste or chili-garlic paste.)
- **Sichuan peppercorns are available at some stores and online for quite cheap.
- They aren't spicy like other peppers but rather have a citrusy flavor and induce a tingly, numbing sensation like a carbonated drink.
- Prep eggplant, chili sauce, cornstarch slurry, vinegar and scallions:
- Begin your mise en place.
- Quarter the eggplant lengthwise and chop into large batons and set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix together the chicken stock, sugar, and soy sauce and set it aside.
- In a second bowl, mix together the chili bean paste, garlic, ginger, and sichuan peppercorns and set it aside.
- In a third bowl, mix together the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and set it aside.
- Lastly, in a fourth bowl, mix together the scallions and vinegar and set it aside.
- Sauté eggplant:
- Place the oil in a wok or large sauté pan over medium-high heat until the oil is almost smoking.
- Add the eggplant and sauté, allowing it to sit for a few seconds each time you move it to allow it to brown and blister.
- If the eggplant absorbs all the oil and some pieces don't get any then add a little more oil.
- Add the chili bean paste, garlic, ginger, and sichuan peppercorns and sauté:
- until fragrant, about 30 seconds.