Oriental eggplant is a popular Asian cuisine. Also called Chinese or Japanese eggplant, the vegetable has a distinct, vibrant purple skin and a delicate texture. When cooked on the grill, it becomes extra tender on the inside and crisp on the outside. In other words, grilled oriental eggplant can become your new favorite meal.
The star of this cuisine is the flavor that comes from glazing the eggplant. Alternatively, you can serve them with a spicy garlic sauce. Keep reading to learn how to make this super easy yet delicious eggplant recipe.
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Grilled Oriental Eggplant With Korean Soya Bean Glaze
Grilling eggplant enhances its flavor by lightly charring it on the edges. At the same time, it retains the tender texture of the vegetable is retained. The Korean soya bean glaze has a salty and slightly sweet taste. Here’s what you need for this recipe.
Ingredients
- 3 Asian eggplants, sliced into half lengthwise
- Vegetable oil
- Black pepper and sea salt
- Sesame seeds and Korean chili flakes (for garnishing)
- Spring onions
- Korean soya bean paste
Korean Soya Bean Glaze
To make the Korean soya bean glaze, you need the following:
- Honey (50 g)
- 5 Grated garlic cloves
- 3 thinly sliced spring onions
- Soy sauce (2 tablespoons)
- Sesame oil (2 tablespoons)
- Korean soya bean paste
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the soya bean glaze. Mix them until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- Preheat the grill. Position a rack approximately five inches from the heat source.
- Line a baking tray with foil.
- Score the flesh of each eggplant half in a crisscross shape. Do not cut all the way through to the skin.
- Brush eggplants with oil. Season the halves with salt and pepper.
- Transfer them to the baking tray, skin side up in one layer.
- Grill for 5 minutes or until the skin starts to discolor. Then, flip the piece and grill for another 5 minutes.
- Keep grilling till the sides char a bit. The eggplants should turn soft when squeezed.
- Coat the flesh with the soya bean glaze and grill for another 5 minutes. Do not exceed the time and stop when it starts to bubble.
- Take the grilled eggplants out of the oven and put them on plates with the flesh side up.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and Korean chili paste.
Helpful Tips
Oriental grilled eggplants are simple to make. However, it is still possible to mess up on a few things, which may make you end up with an unpleasant outcome. Here are some helpful tips.
- Choose long oriental eggplants with an even shape and smaller size. They can split easily and cook faster than other varieties.
- Eggplants quickly absorb oil. So, brush them with oil only when you are ready to transfer them to the grill. Otherwise, they will turn greasy and will stick on the grill.
- Brush eggplants with oil generously. Skipping this step or using less oil will make you end up with a dry vegetable.
- Grill the vegetables on medium-low heat. High heat can cause them to burn.
- Eggplants can go from being perfectly cooked to being burnt in a second. So, always keep an eye on it while grilling. As soon as you notice them acquiring a light brown color, flip them.
- When you finally take out the eggplants, they should have a soft texture throughout.
How Do You Keep Grilled Eggplant From Getting Soggy?
Many people, during the grilling process, allow their eggplants to get soggy. This completely ruins the flavor and texture of the vegetable. No one wants to eat a slimy eggplant. Although oriental eggplants have firmer flesh, it is possible for them to get soggy during grilling.
To prevent this from happening, put your eggplant on a baking sheet and sprinkle generously with Kosher salt. Allow it to remain in this state for around 20 minutes. The salt will take out the moisture from the vegetable. However, before grilling, remove the salt.
Another important thing that will prevent eggplants from turning soggy is keeping the lid open while grilling. This makes eggplants slightly crispy and chewy. If, on the other hand, the lid is closed, it will result in a steamy environment. This causes the moisture to return to the eggplant. Leaving the lid off is key to achieving eggplants with a crisp and caramelized finish.
Experiment with Oriental Grilled Eggplant: Recipe Variations
Grilled eggplant, with Korean soya bean glaze tastes divine. However, you can experiment with other things, too. Here are some ideas.
- Lemon: Add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice to your olive oil.
- Feta cheese: Crumble some cheese on top of the eggplant after grilling. Alternatively, put a generous portion of the cheese on the vegetable when it is nearing the end of grilling.
- Parsley or basil: Add herbs like parsley or basil at the end of grilling for a vibrant flavor.
- Tahini sauce: Drizzle tahini sauce over grilled eggplant to give it a Mediterranean twist.
Also Read: Gluten-Free Pasta Ideas and Their Recipe
How to Store Grilled Oriental Eggplant?
You can enjoy your leftover grilled eggplant for up to 5 days. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Do not freeze them as it may make them mushy.
When you are ready to eat, reheat them on the grill over indirect heat. Alternatively, heat them in the oven at 350 degrees F. You can also use a hot skillet.
What Goes Well With Grilled Eggplant?
You can pair your savory eggplants with plenty of main dishes. Here are some serving ideas:
- Chicken: Grilled eggplants pair perfectly with grilled chicken legs or chicken breast.
- Seafood: Seafood, like shrimp skewers and grilled salmon, has flavors that complement that of eggplant.
- Kabobs: Kabobs, like chicken kabobs and lamb kofta kebab, are another great accompaniment to the grilled vegetable.
- Grilled vegetables: You can also enjoy grilled eggplants with more grilled vegetables. Some options include grilled asparagus, grilled cauliflower, and cabbage steaks.
Summing Up
Grilled oriental eggplants are vegan, gluten-free, and savory. Grilling lends a deep, smoky taste that brings out the natural slightly sweet flavor of the vegetable. It’s hard not to fall in love with the tender and carmelized texture of oriental grilled eggplants. Try out the recipe above and share it with your loved ones. You are sure to come back to it again!
