Szechuan Spicy Eggplant: A Fiery and Flavorful Chinese Delight

Szechuan Spicy Eggplant is a popular Chinese dish known for its fiery and bold flavors. It combines tender eggplant, savory sauce, and an array of aromatic spices to create a mouthwatering dish that will satisfy your taste buds. This recipe will guide you through the process of creating this delicious dish right in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggplants
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon Szechuan chili bean paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch, mixed with 2 teaspoons water
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, for garnish
• Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Directions

1. Cut the eggplants into long, finger-like strips, about 1/2 inch thick.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
3. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and sliced green onions to the skillet. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add the eggplant strips to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
5. In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, Szechuan chili bean paste, sugar, salt, black pepper, vegetable broth, and cornstarch slurry.
6. Pour the sauce mixture over the eggplant in the skillet and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until the eggplant is fully cooked and coated with the sauce.
7. Drizzle the sesame oil over the eggplant and give it a final toss.
8. Transfer the Szechuan Spicy Eggplant to a serving dish and garnish with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro leaves.
9. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.

Interesting Facts