Braised Eggplant with Tofu in Garlic Sauce

Name: Braised Eggplant with Tofu in Garlic Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 2 Tbsps brown sugar; 1 Tbsp fermented broad bean chili paste; 1 Tbsp corn starch; 2 Tbsps roughly chopped fresh cilantro leaves; 907 grams Chinese or Japanese eggplant (about 4 small), or small Italian eggplant, cut into 2-inch chunks; 2 Tbsps finely minced preserved mustard root (see note above); 2 scallions, whites and greens thinly sliced and reserved separately; 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil; 177 milliliters Shaoxing wine or dry sherry; 349 grams box firm silken tofu, cut into 1-inch chunks; 3 Tbsps soy sauce; 2 Tbsps vegetable oil; 2 teaspoons Chinkiang vinegar (see note above); 2 cloves whole cloves garlic, smashed with the back of a knife, plus 4 more whole cloves garlic, thinly sliced

This gluten free and vegan recipe serves 4. One portion of this dish contains approximately 9g of protein, 14g of fat, and a total of 308 calories. A mixture of brown sugar, chinkiang vinegar, vegetable oil, and a handful of other ingredients are all it takes to make this recipe so flavorful. From preparation to the plate, this recipe takes about 30 minutes.

Instructions

Place eggplant in a large bamboo steamer and set over a wok filled with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, cover steamer, and cook until eggplant is completely tender, about 10 minutes. Set aside.

Ingredients you will need

Eggplant

Water

Equipment you will use

Wok

While eggplant is cooking, make the sauce.

Ingredients you will need

Eggplant

Sauce

Combine vinegar, wine, and cornstarch and stir with fork until cornstarch is dissolved.

Ingredients you will need

Corn Starch

Vinegar

Wine

Add soy sauce, brown sugar, chili paste, and sesame oil. Set aside.

Ingredients you will need

Brown Sugar

Chili Paste

Sesame Oil

Soy Sauce

Wipe out wok and dry carefully.

Equipment you will use

Wok

Add oil and whole garlic cloves.

Ingredients you will need

Whole Garlic Cloves

Cooking Oil

Heat over medium heat stirring and turning garlic cloves occasionally until light golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Discard whole cloves then increase heat to high and heat oil until smoking.

Ingredients you will need

Whole Garlic Cloves

Whole Clove

Cooking Oil

Add sliced garlic, scallion whites, and preserved mustard root. Cook, stirring and tossing constantly until fragrant and just beginning to brown, about 1 minute. Stir sauce to re-incorporate corn starch, then add to wok, stirring constantly.

Ingredients you will need

Corn Starch

Green Onions

Mustard

Garlic

Sauce

Equipment you will use

Wok

Add eggplant and tofu and fold gently to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, folding and stirring occasionally until thick and glossy, about 5 minutes longer. Stir in scallion greens and cilantro and serve immediately with white rice, if desired.

Ingredients you will need

Green Onions

White Rice