Vegan Mabo Nasu (Spicy eggplant stir fry)

By Sudachi · 35 min

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Pour boiling water over the soy meat and soak it for the time on the package. Ready-to-use mince needs no soaking.
2. Meanwhile, finely mince the garlic, ginger and white part of the leek. Coarsely crush the cashews, leaving small chunks.
3. Stir the potato starch into the water in a small bowl.
4. Drain the mince, rinse it quickly under the tap, then squeeze it hard with both hands until no more water drips out.
5. Cut the eggplant stems off, halve lengthwise, score the skin side with a shallow crosshatch, then cut diagonally into 4 to 5 cm chunks.
6. Right after cutting, heat 2 tbsp oil in a frying pan over medium to medium-high heat. Sear the eggplant for 3 minutes, then cover and cook 1 minute more, until the skin is glossy deep purple and the cloudy oil clears. Lift onto a rack.
7. Add the remaining 1 tbsp oil to the same pan over medium-low heat. Stir-fry the garlic, ginger and leek until fragrant, without browning.
8. Lower the heat to low. Add the chili bean sauce and ½ tsp sugar and work into the oil for 30 to 60 seconds, until the oil is red and the smell turns sweet and roasted. Stir in the yellow miso until just blended.
9. Raise the heat to medium-high or high. Spread the mince across the pan and sear without moving for 1 to 2 minutes until the underside browns. Break it up and cook 1 more minute until colored all over.
10. Add the sake and scrape up the browned bits. Drizzle in the soy sauce along the side of the pan, toss briefly and taste.
11. Pour in the bouillon and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat briefly, stir the slurry again, then add it a little at a time while stirring.
12. Return the eggplant to the pan, set heat to medium and stir until the sauce boils again. Simmer about 1 minute, until thickened evenly and translucent. Turn off the heat and taste for seasoning.
13. Off the heat, stir in the rice vinegar and sesame oil, then add a pinch of ground black pepper. Top with cashews, green onions and chili threads if using. Serve with plain rice.

Summarized from Sudachi's video. Watch it for the details.

More recipes with

GarlicGingerScallionRiceCashewMisoEggplantLeek