This simple, but very tasty, Asian-style dish can be prepared and cooked in just 15 minutes.

Szechuan Eggplant & Aromatic White Rice
Ingredients
- 1 eggplant
- 3-4 shallots or pearl onions
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp red chili sauce or chili flakes
- 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp corn starch
- 1/2 tsp of brown sugar
- 1 small bunch of fresh dill, parsley or cilantro
- salt and freely ground pepper
- 2 tbsp of sesame oil
- 1 cup of water
- For the rice:
- 1 cup long white rice
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 cardamom seeds, crushed
- 1 anise star
- 1 tsp olive oil
Instructions
Rinse the rice thoroughly, at least two times, in cold water until the water runs clear.
Put the rice in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and add the water.
Add cardamom, anise star, oil, and salt. Bring the rice to a boil, uncovered, over high heat.
Stir and reduce the heat to low.
Cover and simmer for up to 15 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed.
Remove from the heat and allow to stand for 10 minutes.
Trim the eggplant and cut into 1 inch wide wedges.
Heat the oil in a wide frying pan, add the eggplant in 2 batches, fry until soft and brown. Set aside.
In the same pan, add the shallots, garlic, and chili sauce and cook for a couple of minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix together the soy sauce, vinegar, corn starch, sugar, and salt to make the Szechuan Sauce.
Add the water to a frying pan with shallots and sauce.
Let it boil for a couple of seconds, then add the eggplant and toss.
Cook for 1 to 2 minutes more.
Add fresh herbs and adjust the seasoning.
Serve with aromatic white rice.

6 Comments
Rosa's Yummy Yums
January 31, 2014 at 2:56 pmGreat stir-fry and flavors!
Cheers,
Rosa
Medeja
February 1, 2014 at 12:52 amHappy New Year, Yelena! That eggplant sounds so flavorful! Really great dish!
La Table De Nana
February 1, 2014 at 9:53 pmSuch pretty appetizing photos:)
Angie Schneider
February 3, 2014 at 5:05 amDelicious and full of flavours!
Beznarf27
February 3, 2014 at 5:17 pmThis recipe ticks ALL of the boxes Yelena…oh YUM! I have 2 eggplant plants on the go at the moment and should I manage to harvest fruit from either (or both) of them I am SO going to make this wonderful recipe. I will even hold off my Chinese New Year in order to celebrate it with this dish…Chinese New Year is at the end of March…right? 😉
melangery
February 4, 2014 at 12:11 amChinese New Year was few days ago-)) It's ok, you can celebrate every day!