Imagine a dish that transforms the humble eggplant into a fiery, flavor-packed sensation that will make your dinner guests beg for seconds! This Chili Garlic Eggplant with Rice is not just a recipe; it's a culinary adventure that brings the bold, vibrant flavors of Asian cuisine right to your dinner table. With a perfect balance of heat, umami, and irresistible texture, this dish promises to turn even the most skeptical eggplant doubters into true believers.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants, diced
- 3 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Cooked rice for serving
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Wash and dice the eggplants into 1-inch cubes, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic to create a uniform marinade.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of neutral cooking oil.
- Add diced eggplant to the hot skillet, spreading them in a single layer to ensure maximum surface contact for proper caramelization.
- Cook eggplant for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until edges become golden brown and pieces start to soften.
- Pour the prepared chili garlic sauce mixture over the eggplant, tossing to coat evenly and ensure all pieces are well-seasoned.
- Continue cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and glaze the eggplant pieces.
- Remove from heat when eggplant is tender and sauce has thickened slightly.
- Serve hot over freshly cooked rice, garnishing with thinly sliced green onions.
- Optional: Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for extra texture and flavor.
Tips
- Cutting Technique: Ensure your eggplant cubes are roughly the same size (1-inch) to guarantee even cooking and consistent caramelization.
- Heat Management: Use a large skillet or wok and cook on medium-high heat to achieve that perfect golden-brown exterior without burning.
- Don't Overcrowd: Spread eggplant in a single layer when cooking to allow proper caramelization and prevent steaming.
- Sauce Secret: Whisk the chili garlic sauce mixture thoroughly to blend flavors evenly before adding to the eggplant.
- Garnish Game: Fresh green onions and optional toasted sesame seeds can elevate the dish's flavor and visual appeal.
- Rice Pairing: Use freshly cooked, warm rice to absorb the delicious sauce and maximize flavor enjoyment.
- Customize Heat: Adjust the amount of chili garlic sauce to suit your spice tolerance - make it mild or fiery hot!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
