Steamed eggplant, a culinary treasure often overlooked, offers a surprisingly delightful experience. Unlike its fried counterpart, steaming preserves the eggplant's natural sweetness and delicate texture, allowing its subtle earthy flavor to shine. This simple preparation method unlocks a world of flavor possibilities, transforming this humble vegetable into a versatile base for countless dishes. Forget greasy, heavy eggplant; this recipe unveils a lighter, healthier alternative that's both satisfying and incredibly easy to make. You'll discover how to achieve perfectly tender eggplant every time, without sacrificing any of its inherent deliciousness.
This Grandma's secret recipe goes beyond basic steaming; it’s a carefully crafted process designed to enhance the eggplant's natural goodness. We'll explore the optimal steaming time, the importance of selecting the right eggplant variety, and a few surprising additions that elevate the dish to new heights. Ready to unlock the secrets to perfectly steamed eggplant? Let's dive into the step-by-step guide below.
Tools Needed
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Large Bowl
- Steamer
Ingredients
- Eggplant
- Spring Onion
- Onion
- Crushed Garlic
- Ground Beef
- Red Pepper Paste
- Sesame Oil
- Soy Sauce
- Black Pepper
- Salt
- Soju
- Water
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1. Prepare the Eggplant and Meat Filling
- Cut the eggplants into three or four pieces, leaving some space between each piece.
- Finely chop the onion.
- Cut the spring onion.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped onion and spring onion.
- Add the ground beef, crushed garlic, and red pepper paste. Mix well.
- Add sesame oil, soy sauce, and black pepper.
- Pour in soju to remove the smell of meat.
Step 2. Stuff the Eggplant
- Fill the split eggplant pieces with the prepared meat mixture.
Step 3. Steam the Eggplant
- Steam the filled eggplants, pouring water to create steam and prevent burning.
Step 4. Finish Steaming
- Steam for 15 minutes.
Read more: Fluffy Chicken Steamed Buns: Perfect Baozi Recipe
Tips
- Leaving space between the eggplant pieces is important.
Nutrition
- Calories: approximately 250-350
- Fat: 15-25g
- Carbs: 20-30g
- Protein: 10-15g
FAQs
1. Can I use other types of eggplant besides the globe variety?
Yes! Japanese or Italian eggplants also work well, just adjust cooking time as needed – smaller eggplants will steam faster.
2. What can I serve with steamed eggplant?
Steamed eggplant is incredibly versatile! It's delicious as a side dish, or as a component in stir-fries, curries, pasta dishes, or even as a topping for rice bowls.
This Grandma's secret to perfectly steamed eggplant is simple, healthy, and incredibly flavorful. Enjoy this versatile dish as a side, a base for your favorite recipes, or simply on its own – the possibilities are endless. Now go forth and steam your way to eggplant perfection!