Eggplant in garlic sauce

1 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1mediumEggplant; (1-1 1/4 lb.)
1teaspoonDried shrimp
2tablespoons_Shao xing_ or sherry
6smallsChinese mushrooms
Green cayennes to taste; chopped
1Green bell pepper or sweet Red pepper
2Cloves garlic
2teaspoonsSalt
3tablespoonsOil or chicken fat
½cupStock; (mushroom is good)
1tablespoonGood red hot sauce
½tablespoonDark soy sauce
½tablespoonLight soy sauce
1tablespoonRed wine vinegar
1teaspoonSugar
1tablespoonTomato sauce
1tablespoonTomato paste
2tablespoonsSherry; (in which the dried shrimp was soaking)

Directions

SEASONING SAUCE

PREPARATION: Rinse the dried shrimp. Soak for 1 hour in 2 tablespoons sherry. Rinse mushrooms, cover with warm water, and soak for 30-60 minutes or until soft. Cut off stems and leave whole. Save stock. Triangle-cut peppers. Mince garlic. Prepare seasoning sauce: blend together the hot sauce, soy sauces, vinegar, sugar, 1 tablespoons sherry in which dried shrimp was soaked.

Trim off ends of eggplant and discard. Cut the eggplant into eighths lengthwise. Cut the slices into 1½ to 2 inch cubes. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt and place on cookie sheet, with paper towels and chopping block in top. Let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse, drain, and dry eggplant slices well. Mince dried shrimp.

COOKING PROCEDURE: Place wok over high flame for 30 seconds. Add 3 tablespoons of oil, and heat for 20 seconds or until oil is very hot but not smoking. Ass eggplant cubes; stir and press lightly to aid browning.

Cook over a medium flame till lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add drained and minced shrimp and continue to stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add garlic. Add mushrooms and peppers. Stir-fry until tender, about 1-2 minutes. Add ½ cup stock. Cook, stirring about 5 second. Add seasoning sauce. Cook over medium heat, stir-frying about 3-5 minutes, or until juices have thickened.

Empty contents of wok into a serving dish. Serve hot, warm or cold.

TIMING: This recipe can be kept warm if necessary, uncovered, in a preheated 225* oven for 5-7 minutes. Eggplant in Garlic Sauce makes an excellent appetizer served cold or hot. It will keep, if refrigerated, for 5 days.

SUBSTITUTIONS: If dried shrimp is not available, omit and follow recipe as indicated. For the eggplant you can substitute zucchini. Roll-oblique-cut zucchini and cook for only 1 minute instead of 5 in the first step.

From: Steve Kramer <stevekra@...> Posted to CHILE-HEADS DIGEST by RST G <synapse7@...> on Oct 31, 1999, converted by MM_Buster v2.0l.