Steamed
Eggplant with Chili Garlic Ginger Sauce
Steamed
eggplant is a simple, comforting side dish often served with rice in Vietnamese
family meals. Traditionally, it is topped with scallion oil or served with a
light dipping sauce. But if you want to
add a little more flavor to this humble vegetable, try pairing it with a savory
chili garlic ginger sauce.
In this
recipe, tender steamed Japanese eggplant is topped with a fragrant sauce made
with fresh garlic, ginger, chili, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a touch of
honey. Coconut water adds a subtle
natural sweetness that balances the savory and spicy flavors. The result is a
delicious, aromatic dish that is easy to prepare and perfect for everyday
meals.
Serve this
steamed eggplant with hot steamed rice and your favorite main dishes. You can also add other steamed vegetables to
make a simple, wholesome vegetable platter.
Ingredients:
Ingredients
for the eggplant:
- 2 Japanese eggplants
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- Water, as needed
Ingredients
for the chili garlic ginger sauce:
- 1/3 cup coconut water
- 1 piece of fresh ginger, peeled
- 2 garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 chili pepper, adjusted to
taste
- 1 tablespoon of honey or sugar
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon of neutral cooking
oil
Ingredients
for serving:
- 2 spring onions, finely chopped
- Fresh culantro or cilantro,
finely chopped (optional)
Directions:
1.
Preparing the eggplant:
Wash the
eggplants and trim off the stems. Lightly
score the skin in several places with a knife to help the eggplant cook evenly.
Fill a bowl
with water, then add salt and vinegar. Soak
the eggplants for about 15 minutes. This
step helps reduce discoloration and allows you to clean the eggplants before
cooking.
Remove the
eggplants and drain well.
2.
Steaming the eggplant:
Bring water
to a boil in a steamer. Place the
eggplants in the steamer basket, cover, and steam for 8–10 minutes, depending
on their size.
Check for
doneness by inserting a skewer or chopstick into the thickest part. It should slide through easily when the
eggplant is fully tender. If necessary,
steam for a few more minutes.
Remove the
eggplants and let them cool slightly. Cut
them lengthwise into strips or bite-sized pieces, depending on how you prefer
to serve them.
3.
Preparing the chili garlic ginger sauce:
Finely pound
or mince the ginger, garlic, and chili pepper together until they form a coarse
paste. You can use a mortar and pestle
or a small food processor.
In a small
saucepan, combine the coconut water, ginger-garlic-chili paste, honey, soy
sauce, oyster sauce, and cooking oil. Stir
well.
Bring the
mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring
occasionally, until fragrant and slightly reduced. Taste and adjust the sweetness or spiciness as
desired.
Turn off the
heat and stir in the chopped spring onions and fresh herbs, if using. Briefly cooking the sauce lets the flavors
meld while keeping the fresh aromatics vibrant.
4.
Assembling and serving:
Arrange the
steamed eggplant on a serving plate. Spoon the warm chili, garlic, and ginger
sauce evenly over the top, making sure the sauce reaches between the eggplant
pieces.
Serve
immediately with hot steamed rice and your favorite Vietnamese dishes. For a more complete vegetable meal, add
steamed bok choy, broccoli, or other vegetables on the side.
Tips for
the best results:
- Choose Japanese eggplants: Their thin skin and tender
flesh make them ideal for steaming.
- Adjust the heat: Remove the chili seeds for a
milder sauce, or add more chili for extra spice.
- Balance the flavor: Add a little more honey if the
sauce tastes too salty, or a splash of coconut water if it is too strong.
- Make it vegetarian: Replace the oyster sauce with
vegetarian mushroom sauce.
- Serve fresh: Steamed eggplant is best when it’s
tender and freshly dressed, as it readily absorbs the flavorful sauce.