Eggplants were a staple food at my house when I was growing up. Whether it was fried, boiled, grilled, baked, stewed or stir-fried, eggplants will always be a comfort food for me. My former neighbor and dear friend introduced me to her way of cooking eggplants, stir-frying it with ground pork and flavoring it with oyster sauce. I have been cooking eggplants this way for so many years until I came across a spicy eggplant dish at the cooked food section at a local Asian store. Since then, I would buy this dish every time I do my grocery shopping. This past week, after searching online and adapting it according to my family’s taste, I was able to replicate this wonderful dish.
In this recipe, the ground pork is first marinated with soy sauce and then stir-fried with garlic. Eggplants and the sauce are added next and cooked until the eggplants are tender. Finally, the cornstarch solution is added to thicken the sauce. The result is a delicious eggplant dish with sauce that is a bit spicy (to my own taste but not to my husband), enjoyed by my whole family 
Ingredients
- ½ lb lean ground pork
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 ½ lbs. Chinese eggplants, ends trimmed and cut on the diagonal into ½-inch slices
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water
- 2/3 cup chicken stock
- 4 ½ tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce for spicy sauce or 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce for a mild sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Combine the pork with the soy sauce in a bowl. Stir to coat and let stand for 10 minutes.
- In another bowl, combine all sauce ingredients. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add garlic and cook for 10 to 15 seconds. Add the pork and cook, stirring, until it changes color, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the eggplants, stir, add the sauce and stir to mix well. Reduced the heat to medium, cover and cook until eggplants are tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add cornstarch solution and cook, stirring until sauce thickens. Transfer to a plate and serve with steamed rice.
- Enjoy!
Notes
This recipe is adapted from Emeril Lagasse.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I adore eggplant and hoisin and can imagine this dish is absolutely fantastic! Looking forward to giving this unique meal a try!
Hi Julia,
Thanks for dropping by
I always shy away from eggplants at home. Love eating when out but just never seem to use at home. Your recipe looks and sounds great.
Hi,
What a coincidence that you stopped by. I work in a school supporting kids with autism. I will definitely be checking out your blog
I love spicy Chinese eggplant. I did it on a cookery course in China and it’s now one of my favourite ways to prepare eggplant.