Braised Eggplant (Hong Shao Qiezi)

Braised Eggplant, known in Chinese as "红烧茄子" (Hong Shao Qiezi), is a classic Chinese home-cooked dish. It features eggplants as the main ingredient, paired with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar. Through cooking, the eggplant becomes tender and absorbs the flavors of the sauce, resulting in a delicious and well-loved dish.

10 Reviews
10 Comments
POSTED:19/06/2024
Level:Easy
Yield:2-3 servings
Total:37 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:15 min

When making Chinese Braised Eggplant, there are a few key points to keep in mind to ensure you create a delicious dish:

1.Ingredient Selection:

Eggplant: Opt for long, slender Asian eggplants (such as Japanese or Chinese eggplants) as they have thinner skin and more tender flesh, making them ideal for braising. If these are unavailable, regular Italian eggplants can be used but should be cut into appropriate sizes.

Seasonings: Ensure you have common Chinese seasonings like light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, cooking wine, garlic, and ginger. These can be found in major supermarkets or Asian grocery stores in the U.S.

2.Cooking Techniques:

Oil Control: Eggplants tend to absorb oil quickly, but braised eggplant requires a certain amount of oil to achieve the right texture and flavor. Start by sautéing the eggplant over medium heat until soft, then add the other seasonings and liquids.

Even Heating: Cut the eggplant into uniform pieces to ensure they cook evenly.

3.Adjusting the Flavors:

Adjust the amount of seasonings to suit your taste. For a less sweet dish, reduce the sugar. For a saltier or richer flavor, increase the soy sauce or oyster sauce.

4.Additional Ingredients:

Consider adding other vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms to enhance the dish’s complexity and nutritional value.

5.Cooking Equipment:

Be cautious when cooking with high heat, especially when frying eggplant as the oil can splatter. If you’re using an electric stove, keep in mind that it heats up and cools down more slowly than gas stoves, so adjust the heat accordingly.

Braised eggplant is visually appealing with its rich color and flavorful sauce. The eggplant becomes tender and juicy, complemented by the garlic and soy sauce’s savory notes. This dish pairs perfectly with rice.

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • Eggplant: 1 Asian eggplants or 1 large Italian eggplant

ACCESSORIES

  • Ginger: 1 small piece, sliced
  • Garlic: 1-2 cloves, sliced
  • Green onions: 1-2 stalks, cut into segments
  • Cornstarch: 3 teaspoons

SEASONINGS

  • Vegetable oil: For frying
  • Cornstarch slurry: 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
  • Sesame oil: A dash
  • Sauce Mixture:
  • Soy sauce: 1 tablespoon
  • Cooking wine: 1 tablespoon
  • Oyster sauce: 1 teaspoon
  • Sugar: 1 teaspoon
  • Salt: 1 teaspoon
  • Dark soy sauce: A dash (for color)

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Prepare the Ingredients:

Slice the ginger and garlic. Cut the green onions into segments. Cut the eggplant into small chunks using the roll-cut method.

Prepare ingredients: slice ginger, garlic; cut green onions; chop eggplant into chunks.

STEP 2

Coat the Eggplant:

Place the cut eggplant in a bowl and add 3 teaspoons of cornstarch. Toss to coat evenly.

Tip:

After cutting the eggplant into pieces, you can sprinkle salt on them and let them sit for 15-30 minutes to remove any bitterness. Then, rinse the eggplant with water and drain well.

Coat eggplant in cornstarch; reduce bitterness with salt.

STEP 3

Prepare the Sauce:

In a separate bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cooking wine, 1 teaspoon of oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and a dash of dark soy sauce. Mix well.

Tip:

Adjust the seasoning according to your taste. Add more soy sauce or sugar if needed.

Combine soy sauce, cooking wine, oyster sauce, sugar, salt, and dark soy sauce for a tasty sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste.

STEP 4

Fry the Eggplant:

Heat a pot with enough oil for deep frying. Once hot, add the cornstarch-coated eggplant pieces. Fry until they become soft, then remove and drain the excess oil.

Tip:

Ensure the oil is hot enough before adding the eggplant for frying. This helps to achieve a crispy texture.

Fry eggplant in hot oil with cornstarch coating for a crispy texture.

STEP 5

Refry the Eggplant:

Reheat the oil and fry the eggplant pieces again until they turn golden brown. Remove and set aside.

Tip:

If you prefer not to deep-fry the eggplant, you can use a microwave or oven to soften and crisp the eggplant pieces.

Reheating and crisping eggplant in oil or oven/microwave.

STEP 6

Stir-Fry the Aromatics:

Leave a small amount of oil in the pan. Add the green onions, ginger, and garlic, and stir-fry until fragrant.

Stir-fry green onions, ginger, garlic in oil until fragrant.

STEP 7

Combine and Cook:

Pour in the pre-mixed sauce and return the fried eggplant to the pan. Stir to coat the eggplant with the sauce.

Combine pre-mixed sauce with fried eggplant, stir to coat.

STEP 8

Thicken the Sauce:

Add a little cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and a dash of sesame oil. Stir until the sauce thickens.

Thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry and sesame oil; stir until thickened.

STEP 9

Serve:

Transfer the braised eggplant to a serving dish and enjoy it hot.

Serve the braised eggplant hot.

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Braised Eggplant (Hong Shao Qiezi)
  • Main Ingredients:5
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:581 g
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 581 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):181 kcal
    8%
  • Protein:5.89 g
    11%
  • Fat:1.11 g Why gray?
    2%
  • Carbohydrates:42.44 g
    17%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 8%
    15 kcal
  • Fat: 5%
    9 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 87%
    156 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
5:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

10 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
AmandaNovember 04, 2024

The braised eggplant I made was very similar to the one in the Chinese restaurant, thanks to the recipe.
EricOctober 23, 2024

The braised eggplant made according to the recipe was soft and full of flavor.
CarolOctober 11, 2024

This braised eggplant recipe is great and very family friendly.
reply:
October 14, 2024
Thank you so much, I hope it adds flavor to your family table.
JasonSeptember 29, 2024

How can I make the sauce for braising thick and flavorful?
reply:
October 01, 2024
You can add appropriate amount of water, soy sauce, sugar, salt and other seasonings to the starch to make water starch, and pour it in during the roasting process.
MichelleSeptember 18, 2024

How to make eggplant absorb less oil when frying?
reply:
September 20, 2024
You can marinate the eggplant in salt for a while and squeeze out the water before frying, which will reduce the amount of oil absorbed.
ÉdouardAugust 23, 2024

Fish Scented Braised Eggplant combines the traditional way of seasoning braised eggplant with the flavor of fish for a unique taste. The sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavors are memorable, the eggplant is flavorful and fresh, and the texture is rich and versatile, making it a creative dish with unique flavors that is worth trying.
PatriciaJuly 22, 2024

Roasted eggplant is rich in flavor and soft, making it perfect for vegetarians.
Jack.anJune 19, 2024

The slow-cooked braised eggplant is thick and juicy, the eggplant is flavorful and chewy, and with the right amount of sweetness and soy sauce, it's simply a rice dish that you can't get enough of in every bite.
JunJune 19, 2024

This braised eggplant recipe is very simple and easy to make for a busy weekday. The eggplant is stewed to a flavorful, soft texture, and the ingredients are basic and full of home-cooked flavor.
ackaJune 19, 2024

As a vegetarian, this braised eggplant dish is delicious on its own or with rice!
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