Eggplant and ground pork are stir-fried with chile paste paste and other seasonings in this spicy Szechuan recipe. For a vegetarian version, leave out the ground pork and increase the eggplant.
Serves 4 to 6
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Serves 4 to 6
More Szechuan Recipes
Main Chinese Recipes Index
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1/4 pound ground pork
- Marinade:
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- a Pinch (less than 1/2 teaspoon) cornstarch
- Sauce:
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon red rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, or to taste
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- Other
- 4 Asian eggplants
- 1 cloves garlic
- 4 tablespoons oil for stir-frying, or as needed
- 1 tablespoon bean sauce (hot bean sauce if possible)
- 1/2 teaspoon chile paste with garlic, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Preparation:
Combine the ground pork with the salt, pepper, and cornstarch. Marinate the pork for 15 minutes.
While the pork is marinating, prepare the remaining ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, dark and light soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Whisk in the cornstarch.
Cut the eggplant into 1-inch squares. Mince the garlic.
Heat the wok over medium-high to high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add the eggplant. Stir-fry the eggplant until it is softened (about 5 minutes). Remove and drain on paper towels.
Add 2 tablespoons oil to the wok. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and bean sauce. Stir-fry until aromatic. Add the ground pork. Stir-fry until it changes color, using cooking chopsticks or a wooden spoon to separate the individual pieces.
Push the pork up to the sides of the wok. Add the sauce in the middle and bring to a boil, stirring quickly to thicken. Add the eggplant slices and the chile paste. Cook for a few more minutes and stir in the sesame oil. Serve hot.
Reader Rating: 4+ out of 5 Review: This was a great recipe! I didn't cook the eggplant quite as long as recommended, which left it nice and firm and not so gooey as eggplant can be. Also made a vegetarian version with vegetable broth and no pork - tasted surprisingly like a good restaurant dish. Really a great sauce! From Annie
While the pork is marinating, prepare the remaining ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, dark and light soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Whisk in the cornstarch.
Cut the eggplant into 1-inch squares. Mince the garlic.
Heat the wok over medium-high to high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil. When the oil is hot, add the eggplant. Stir-fry the eggplant until it is softened (about 5 minutes). Remove and drain on paper towels.
Add 2 tablespoons oil to the wok. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and bean sauce. Stir-fry until aromatic. Add the ground pork. Stir-fry until it changes color, using cooking chopsticks or a wooden spoon to separate the individual pieces.
Push the pork up to the sides of the wok. Add the sauce in the middle and bring to a boil, stirring quickly to thicken. Add the eggplant slices and the chile paste. Cook for a few more minutes and stir in the sesame oil. Serve hot.
Reader Rating: 4+ out of 5 Review: This was a great recipe! I didn't cook the eggplant quite as long as recommended, which left it nice and firm and not so gooey as eggplant can be. Also made a vegetarian version with vegetable broth and no pork - tasted surprisingly like a good restaurant dish. Really a great sauce! From Annie
