Szechuan Eggplant And Squash Recipes

Steps:

• Remove the eggplant stem and cut into 1-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, chicken stock, chili sauce, sugar, ground black pepper and oyster sauce. Stir together well and set aside. In a separate small bowl, combine the cornstarch and water, and set aside.
• Coat a large, deep pan with cooking spray over high heat and allow a few minutes for it to get very hot. Saute the garlic, half of the green onions, ginger and dried shrimp, if using (see Cook's Note) for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until they begin to brown. Stir in the ground beef or pork and cook for 3 more minutes, again stirring constantly, until browned.
• Pour the eggplant into the pan and stir all together. Pour the reserved soy sauce mixture over all, cover the pan, reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If you're using fresh shrimp, add it during the last few minutes of cooking. Stir in the reserved cornstarch mixture and let heat until thickened. Finally, stir in the rest of the green onions and the sesame oil.
• Serve over hot rice.

Steps:

• Cut the eggplants in 1/2 lengthwise and then slice crosswise into wedges, no more than 1-inch wide.
• Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high flame and add the oils; tilt the pan to coat all sides. When you see a slight smoke, add a layer of eggplant, stir-fry until seared and sticky, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the eggplant to a side platter and cook the remaining eggplant in same manner, adding more oil, if needed.
• After all the eggplant is out of the pan, add the green onions, ginger, garlic, and chile; stir-fry for a minute until fragrant. Add the broth. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch until the sugar and cornstarch are dissolved. Pour the soy sauce mixture into the wok and cook another minute, until the sauce has thickened. Put the eggplant back in the pan, tossing quickly, until the sauce is absorbed. Garnish with sesame seeds, Thai basil, and cilantro and serve.

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, combine 2/3 cup of the cornstarch, the salt and pepper. Toss the eggplant pieces in the cornstarch mixture to coat, shaking off the excess; set aside. Repeat the process with the tofu.
• Heat 1/2 inch of the peanut oil in a large, deep, straight-sided skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Working in batches, cook the eggplant first, tossing gently until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining eggplant and the tofu.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, lime juice and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
• Carefully drain the oil from the skillet, and wipe out any residue using paper towels held with tongs. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to the skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the ginger, about 1 teaspoon of the minced chiles (or to taste) and the garlic. Cook, stirring, until just fragrant, about 30 seconds; pour in the chicken stock mixture and bring it to a simmer. Simmer until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the cooked eggplant and tofu to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Stir in the sesame oil and remove from the heat. Serve immediately over rice and garnished with the remaining minced chiles if desired and chopped cilantro.

Steps:

• In a wok or large skillet heat the vegetable oil over high heat until it is hot but not smoking and in it stir-fry the eggplant over moderately high heat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until it is tender and browned. Transfer the eggplant with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• In a small bowl dissolve the cornstarch in the broth. To the wok add the garlic, the gingerroot, the chili paste, the hoisin sauce, the vinegar, and the Sherry and stir-fry the mixture for 30 seconds. Add the scallions and stir-fry the mixture for 30 seconds. Add the soy sauce, the brown sugar, the cornstarch mixture, stirred, the bell pepper, and the eggplant and stir-fry the mixture for 1 minute, or until the eggplant has absorbed most of the liquid. Remove the wok from the heat, add the sesame oil and salt and pepper to taste, and toss the mixture well. The eggplant mixture may be made 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. Transfer the eggplant mixture to a bowl and serve it with the pita wedges.

Steps:

• Heat the olive and sesame oils in a stir-fry pan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté over medium-low heat until golden.
• Meanwhile, cut the Japanese eggplants into 1/4-inch-thick slices. If using regular eggplant, quarter it lengthwise, then cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
• Cut the tofu into 6 slabs crosswise. Blot well with paper towels, then cut into narrow strips.
• Add the eggplant and tofu to the pan, followed by the wine, hoisin sauce, ginger, and 1/4 cup water. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 minutes, or until the eggplant is nearly tender. Lift the lid once or twice during that time to stir. Cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes longer, or until the liquid has been completely reduced.
• Add the bok choy and stir-fry, uncovered, for just a minute or two, until warmed. Season to taste with soy sauce and chile oil. Serve at once.
• menu suggestions
• It's nice to serve this hearty dish over cooked quick grains (like whole-wheat couscous or quinoa) or Asian noodles. Or, if you have the time, cook some brown rice-that's how I like it best. Since this isn't a colorful dish, you'll need something to liven up the plate. Broccoli with Pine Nuts or Almonds (page 204) or Stir-Fried Baby Carrots (page 206) would be a good choice. A few cherry or grape tomatoes or pickled beets add interest to the plate as well.
• If you'd prefer something raw and crunchy to go with this, choose Bok Choy, Red Cabbage, and Carrot Salad (page 176), Fruitful Red Slaw (page 177), or Mixed Greens with Sprouts, Apple, and Daikon (page 179). A bed of noodles or grain would be welcome with this menu, too.
• nutrition information
• Calories: 155
• Total Fat: 8g
• Protein: 9g
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 270mg

Steps:

• Sprinkle the eggplant slices with a couple tablespoons of salt and let rest 15 minutes. Rinse pieces in lukewarm water.
• Add black pepper and cornstarch to eggplant and toss together to coat the eggplant.
• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a skillet, and add the eggplant until they get soft and brownish (approx 10 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside. (You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet.).
• Steam broccoli, red pepper, onions, and cauliflower until slightly al dente.
• While the veggies are steaming, heat 1 tbsp oil in skillet and add shallots and green chilies. Cook for a couple minutes, then add Szechuan sauce.
• Add the eggplant and the veggies, and cook through, 5-10 minutes. Garnish with chopped peanuts.

Steps:

• Combine garlic, ginger, broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, Splenda, and chili sauce in wok or fry pan.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Add eggplant and squash and cook/saute for 5 minutes or until liquid is mostly absorbed (this is a mushy, soft dish!).
• Reduce heat to low and add tomato.
• Saute for 1 minute to warm tomato.
• Serve and enjoy!