Misoeggplant Recipes

Steps:

• Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and cut off the stem and calyx. Using the tip of a paring knife, cut an incision down the middle of each half, making sure not to cut through the skin, but cutting down to it. Salt the eggplant lightly and let sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and brush with sesame oil.
• Blot the eggplants with paper towels and place, cut side down, on the baking sheets. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until the skin is beginning to shrivel and the flesh is soft. Remove from the oven, carefully turn the eggplants over, and preheat the broiler.
• To make the glaze, combine the mirin and sake in the smallest saucepan you have and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 20 seconds, taking care not to boil off much of the liquid, then turn the heat to low and stir in the miso and the sugar. Whisk over medium-low heat without letting the mixture boil, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and whisk in the sesame oil.
• Brush the eggplants with the miso glaze, using up all of the glaze. Place under the broiler, about 2 inches from the heat, and broil for about 1 minute, until the glaze begins to bubble and looks shiny. Remove from the heat. Allow to cool if desired or serve hot. To serve, cut the eggplant halves on the diagonal into 1- to 1-1/2-inch slices.

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the upper part of the oven and preheat the broiler. Line a pan with foil.
• Whisk the miso and soy sauce together in a small bowl. Trim the eggplant stems and halve lengthwise. Lightly score a diamond-like pattern into the flesh of the eggplant. Put the eggplants, skin-side up on the prepared pan.
• Broil the eggplants until the skin discolors, about 1 minute. Turn the eggplants over, lightly brush the top with oil, and broil until softened, about 4 minutes. Brush each eggplant half with the miso mixture and broil until the top is bubbling, about 1 minute. Serve.

Steps:

• Preheat a charcoal grill or kamado-style ceramic charcoal cooker for direct grilling over high heat.
• Whisk together the miso, mirin, sugar and 2 tablespoons water until combined.
• Brush the cut-side of the eggplant with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the eggplant, cut-side down, until lightly golden brown, about 4 minutes. Turn the eggplant over, brush with some of the glaze and continue grilling for 2 more minutes. Brush with more glaze, flip over and grill until the cut-side is caramelized, about 4 minutes. Remove to a platter, cut-side up, and sprinkle with mint.

Steps:

• Slice eggplant into 1/4-inch circles.
• Fry in sesame seed oil for a few minutes.
• Add water and mirin or sake and cover and simmer until tender.
• Mix miso, soy sauce and sugar in a small bowl.
• Add to the eggplant mixture and stir-fry.
• Optional: For a thicker "gravy", Mix optional cornstarch and water together. Bring to boil and add cornstarch mixture. Let boil for one more minute, stirring constantly and lower temperature to simmer for 5 more minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Whisk together shiro miso, vinegar, water, sugar, and ginger until sugar is dissolved.
• Brush a large shallow baking pan with oil and arrange eggplant, cut sides up, in pan. Brush tops with 2 tablespoons oil (total). Broil eggplant 4 to 6 inches from heat until it begins to turn pale golden and soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Brush generously with miso mixture and broil 2 minutes more. Brush eggplant with miso again and rotate pan 180 degrees (do not turn eggplant over), then continue to broil until eggplant is tender and glaze is golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve sprinkled with scallions.
• *Available at Asian markets, specialty foods shops, and Uwajimaya (800-889-1928).

Steps:

• Remove the caps from the eggplant and cut them in half lengthwise.
• Put the peanut oil in a large skillet, preferably non-stick, over medium heat. About 2 minutes later, add the eggplant, skin side down. Cook until nicely browned, adjusting the heat and rotating the pieces so they brown evenly, about 10 minutes. Turn and cook on the flesh side until brown, then continue to cook, turning as necessary, until tender, another 10 minutes or so.
• When the eggplant is almost done, combine the miso, sugar, mirin, and vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring. Remove the eggplant and spread a thin coating of the miso mixture over each half; top with the sesame seeds. Serve hot or at room temperature.
• You can also grill or broil this recipe: Start a charcoal or gas grill or preheat the broiler; the rack should be about 6 inches from the heat source. Brush the eggplant slices well with oil. Place, flesh side down, on a baking sheet or directly on the grill. Broil or grill, turning as necessary, until browned on both sides, brushing with more oil if the eggplant looks dry. Proceed with step 3.

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Combine first 6 ingredients, stirring with a whisk. Arrange eggplant slices on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Spread mirin mixture evenly over the eggplant slices, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Broil 8 minutes or until topping is golden. Place eggplant slices on a platter, and sprinkle with onions.

Steps:

• If time allows, sprinkle the eggplant liberally with salt, put it in a colander in the sink and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes; rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat and put the rack about 4 inches from the flame.
• Combine the neutral and sesame oils and brush the eggplant on both sides with the oil mixture. Sprinkle with salt (if you salted the eggplant, hold off) and pepper, then brush with more oil. Grill until browned on both sides, about 10 minutes total, turning once or twice and brushing with more oil if it looks dry.
• When the eggplant is almost done, whisk together the miso, honey and hot water and generously brush the eggplant with this mixture. Continue to grill for another minute or two, then serve hot, warm or at room temperature, drizzled with any remaining miso sauce.

Steps:

• In a large steamer, steam the eggplant for 10 to 12 minutes, until very tender. Turn on the broiler.
• Combine the miso and tamari in a small bowl. Make a 1/2-inch-deep lengthwise slit down the eggplants. Spoon 2 tablespoons of miso into each eggplant.
• Place on a baking sheet and slide under the broiler until slightly browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.