Meet Chinese Eggplant, Your New Go-To Veggie
An eggplant by any other name might taste fifty-fifty sweeter. Learn how to cook Chinese eggplant with this recipe and these helpful tips.
Much similar their tomato cousins, eggplants are at the center of a very important debate: Are they fruit, or are they vegetables? Though they're often mistaken every bit the latter, eggplants are actually berries and function of the nightshade family unit, which includes tomatoes and potatoes. Even so, that doesn't mean you can't treat them like veggies—they can exist made into a spread or mixed with pasta or turned into chips—and their versatility makes them the perfect go-to ingredient.
Merely there's more to life than the large majestic ones you're familiar with: Come across the Chinese eggplant.
What is a Chinese eggplant?
Chinese eggplants are long and sparse with vibrant lavender skin and white flesh, and can appear either kleptomaniacal or straight. They taste mildly sweetness and agree upwards when cooked.
What other types of eggplant are in that location?
When yous see the discussion "eggplant," that's usually referring to the large varieties virtually often found in grocery stores, which are called globes. They're hefty, have petty green caps, and tend to exist more bitter, meaty and flavorful.
There are many other varieties of eggplant, as well—graffiti, Indian, Japanese and Italian, to name a few. While each is delicious in its own right, unique properties brand a certain type best suited for certain dishes.
What's the deviation between eggplant and Chinese eggplant?
Chinese eggplants take fewer seeds than globes, which reduces their bitterness. And they accept a sparse skin. While they can be substituted for each other, globes may exist less sweet, influencing the outcome of the final dish.
How do you selection the all-time Chinese eggplant?
Picking Chinese eggplant is the art of picking any eggplant. Look for ones that are firm and have shiny peel, and avoid any blemishes or soft spots. This means that they'll exist young, tender and total of flavor.
Do you demand to salt Chinese eggplant?
Nope! Considering they have fewer seeds, Chinese eggplants are less bitter than globes and practice not need to be salted. Salt is used to draw out bitterness, only this diversity is naturally sweetness. In fact, if an eggplant is picked fresh, information technology most likely doesn't need table salt, no matter the variety.
How to Cook Chinese Eggplant
What tin can't y'all do with Chinese eggplant? They shine in stir chips, every bit pickles or braised. Try them in this recipe, from N Carolina reader Allyson Meyler. It calls for conventional eggplant, but the Chinese eggplant's inherent sweetness volition be accentuated by the lime juice and sesame, letting the spices shine. It makes 6 tasty servings.
Ingredients
- iii tablespoons lime juice
- i tablespoon sesame oil
- 1-i/ii teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- i garlic clove, minced
- 1/two teaspoon grated fresh ginger root or 1/4 teaspoon basis ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1 medium eggplant (1-one/4 pounds) cut lengthwise into 1/ii-inch slices
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Thinly sliced green onion and sesame seeds
Stride ane: Get grillin'
In a small bowl, whisk the first seven ingredients until blended. Then, brush 2 tablespoons of the juice mixture over both sides of the eggplant slices. Grill, covered, over medium estrus 4-six minutes on each side, or until tender.
Pace two: Add together a garnish
Transfer eggplant to a serving plate. Stir honey and pepper flakes into the remaining juice mixture and drizzle it over the eggplant. Sprinkle with green onion and sesame seeds.
Need more eggplant in your life? These recipes are a good identify to start.
Spicy Grilled Eggplant
This side goes well with any meat y'all might also be grilling. Thanks to the Cajun seasoning, the zesty eggplant gets more attention than an ordinary veggie. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas
Contest-Winning Eggplant Parmesan
Because my recipe calls for baking the eggplant instead of frying information technology, information technology'due south much healthier than other parmesans! The prep time is a footling longer than for some recipes, merely the Italian flavors and rustic elegance are well worth information technology. —Laci Hooten, McKinney, Texas
Mediterranean Chicken in Eggplant Sauce
Spice-coated chicken thighs simmer in a rich ruddy pepper-eggplant sauce. This savory entree is perfect for an everyday meal or potluck. Information technology'due south an easy slow-cooker dish to prepare in the morning time and then that dinner is gear up at the cease of the 24-hour interval.—Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Roasted Eggplant Spread
Black pepper and garlic perk upwardly this out-of-the-ordinary spread that hits the spot on a well-baked cracker or toasted staff of life slice. —Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania.
Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Stacks
Nosotros dear eggplant Parmesan, but when it'south hot outside, the dish feels as well heavy. Grilled eggplant slices topped with love apple, mozzarella and Parm satisfy everyone. —Joann Parlin, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey
Grilled Veggie Sandwiches with Cilantro Pesto
I first ate this sandwich while vacationing in Sedona, Arizona, and fell in honey with information technology. When I returned habitation, I adult this 1 that tastes but similar the original. —Carolyn Phenicie, Titusville, Pennsylvania
Eggplant Sausage Casserole
If you desire your kids to happily eat their eggplant, serve it in this lovely layered casserole. Our whole family enjoys it. Always a pop potluck item, information technology's a great company dish, as well. —Carol Mieske, Cherry Bluff, California
Ragin' Cajun Eggplant and Shrimp Skillet
Nosotros always have a large summer garden where lots of produce lingers into fall. That's when we harvest our onion, bell pepper, tomatoes and eggplant, the primary ingredient of this dish. This recipe turns Cajun with the Holy Trinity (onion, celery and bong pepper), shrimp and ruby-red pepper flakes. —Barbara Hahn, Park Hills, Missouri
Lime and Sesame Grilled Eggplant
When I lived in Hellenic republic, I cruel in honey with eggplant. My recipe's seasonings have an Asian theme, but the dish all the same makes me recall Greek. —Allyson Meyler, Greensboro, N Carolina
Makeover Eggplant Parmesan
Here's a healthy version of a restaurant archetype that you tin easily make at habitation. Our recipe has 300 fewer calories and half the fat and sodium of typical eggplant Parmesan. —Taste of Abode Test Kitchen
Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches
Grill this eggplant, tomato and goat cheese sandwich to perfection...it makes a delicious meatless repast. —Jennifer Jaras, Corona, California
Eggplant & Zucchini Rollatini
Someone at the table is spring to praise your rollatini dish, then enquire what the heck it is. Your uncomplicated answer: thin slices of eggplant that are lightly breaded and fried, covered with cheeses, rolled up, topped with tangy love apple sauce and baked. —Andrea Rivera, Westbury, New York
Boring-Cooked Ratatouille
I go my son to eat eggplant by cooking it low and boring in this classic French veggie dish. A side of rice and garlic cheese bread also help. —Diane Goedde, Red Lodge, Montana
Flossy Eggplant & Mushroom Monte Cristo
Equally a child, I wouldn't eat veggies. Equally a parent, I try to include them in creative ways. I'm proud to say this eggplant sandwich is a striking with my son. —Macey Allen, Greenish Forest, Arkansas
Artichoke Ratatouille Chicken
I loaded all the fresh produce I could find into this speedy chicken dinner. Serve it on its ain or over pasta. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Mediterranean Eggplant Dip
I love Mediterranean food, and the flavors in this dip are so vibrant. We make our ain mini sandwiches once this platter is complete. —Stacy Mullens, Gresham, Oregon
Grilled Vegetable and Caprine animal Cheese Napoleons
Vegetarian or not, your guests volition savour this meatless entree at your next summer soiree. —Joan Meyer, New York, New York
Grilled Eggplant with Feta relish
I created this impressive light side dish for my vegetarian friends. It's easy, fast and a standout recipe for company. —Amanda Dekrey, Fargo, N Dakota
The All-time Eggplant Parmesan
Truly delicious! I love eggplant and have many recipes, but this one'southward my favorite. The cheeses and seasonings make this dish unforgettable. —Dottie Kilpatrick, Wilmington, North Carolina
Source: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/chinese-eggplant/
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