Print

Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce

Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce
Print Recipe

Chinese Eggplant with Garlic Sauce is a quick and easy vegan dish featuring tender, silky Chinese eggplants cooked in a bold, savory garlic sauce with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and umami flavors. Ideal for busy weeknights, this vibrant dish pairs wonderfully with rice or noodles and makes a satisfying, plant-based meal full of aromatic and colorful ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2–3 slender Chinese eggplants (about 1 lb), sliced lengthwise into 1/2 inch strips
  • 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chili paste or chili flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2–3 green onions, thinly sliced for garnish
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Eggplant: Wash and slice the Chinese eggplants lengthwise into long strips about 1/2 inch thick. Set aside while preparing the other ingredients.
  2. Make the Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, chili paste, and sesame oil. Adjust the seasoning to balance sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors to your liking.
  3. Cook the Eggplant: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant slices and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, glossy, and slightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Combine and Simmer: Pour the prepared garlic sauce over the cooked eggplant in the skillet. Gently toss to coat all eggplant pieces, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3-4 minutes so the eggplant absorbs the flavors.
  5. Finish and Serve: Transfer the sauced eggplant to a serving dish and sprinkle with freshly chopped green onions. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

  • Choose fresh, firm Chinese eggplants with smooth purple skin for best results.
  • Use enough vegetable oil to cook the eggplant thoroughly but avoid making the dish greasy.
  • Prepare the garlic sauce ahead of time to streamline cooking.
  • Adjust the chili paste gradually to control the heat level.
  • Let the dish rest off heat for a few minutes before serving to intensify flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chinese eggplant, garlic sauce, vegan, quick dinner, spicy eggplant, plant-based, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://elenaglam.com/chinese-eggplant-with-garlic-sauce/