Description
Sticky Garlic Eggplant is a flavorful and vegan Asian-inspired dish featuring tender eggplant cubes glazed in a savory, sweet, and slightly spicy sticky sauce made from soy sauce, honey, garlic, and hoisin. Stir-fried to perfection and garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a delightful side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 2 medium eggplants, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Others
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the eggplant.
- Cook the Eggplant: Add the cubed eggplant to the hot oil and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes until the pieces soften and develop a golden brown color.
- Add Garlic: Incorporate the minced garlic into the skillet and cook it for 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes to create the sticky garlic sauce.
- Combine Sauce with Eggplant: Pour the sauce mixture over the cooked eggplant and stir well to coat all pieces evenly with the glaze.
- Simmer and Thicken: Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking the eggplant for an additional 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and stick to the eggplant.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, garnish the dish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, and serve hot either on its own or over steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of sriracha.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or noodles to create a complete meal.
- Use firm eggplants to ensure they hold their shape during cooking.
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup to keep it vegan friendly.
