Minced Meat Braised Eggplant (肉末燒茄子)
肉末燒茄子, or Minced Meat Braised Eggplant, is a beloved Chinese dish that brings together the soft, creamy texture of eggplant with a savory and slightly spicy minced meat sauce. It’s a flavorful and hearty dish, often enjoyed with a bowl of steamed rice. Here's how to make this delicious meal at home.
Ingredients
For the Eggplant:
- 2 medium-sized eggplants
- Salt for soaking
- Cooking oil for frying
For the Minced Meat:
- 300 g ground pork or beef
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes optional
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
Prepare the Eggplant:
- Cut the eggplants into strips or cubes, then soak them in salted water for about 20 minutes. This helps to remove any bitterness.
- Drain and pat dry the eggplant pieces.
Fry the Eggplant:
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the eggplant pieces until they are golden and soft. Remove and set aside on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
Cook the Minced Meat:
- In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Add the minced garlic and ginger, and fry until fragrant.
- Add the ground meat, breaking it up with your spoon. Cook until browned.
- Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, black pepper, and chili flakes. Cook for another minute.
Combine Eggplant and Meat:
- Add the fried eggplant back into the pan with the cooked meat. Mix well.
Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and broth.
- Pour this mixture over the eggplant and meat. Let it simmer for a few minutes.
Thicken the Sauce:
- Stir in the cornstarch and water mixture. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens.
Serve:
- Once everything is well combined, and the eggplant is tender, remove from heat.
- Serve your Minced Meat Braised Eggplant hot, garnished with green onions or cilantro if desired.
