Cooking Tips
When preparing shrimp stuffed eggplant, it’s essential to choose the right eggplant. Look for smaller, firm ones, as they are less bitter and have fewer seeds. Make sure to slice the eggplant evenly for uniform cooking. If you’re worried about bitterness, you can sprinkle the slices with salt and let them sit for about 30 minutes before rinsing them. This draws out excess moisture and some bitterness. When frying the eggplant, use a non-stick pan to prevent sticking and allow for even cooking. Keep the oil temperature steady to ensure that the eggplant cooks through without becoming greasy. Lastly, for the shrimp filling, feel free to customize the seasoning. Adding a little ginger or garlic can enhance the flavors significantly.
Serving Suggestions
Shrimp stuffed eggplant can be served as a delightful appetizer or a main course. Pair it with steamed jasmine rice or a light salad to balance out the richness of the dish. For a more authentic dim sum experience, consider serving it with soy sauce or a spicy chili sauce for dipping. Garnishing the dish with chopped scallions or cilantro can add a fresh touch. If you’re hosting a gathering, consider serving this dish alongside other dim sum favorites like dumplings or spring rolls for a well-rounded meal. Leftover stuffed eggplant can also be reheated and served as a quick lunch the next day, making it versatile for different occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I substitute for shrimp in this recipe?
If you’re looking for a substitute, crab meat or even cooked chicken can work well. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time if you’re using a different protein.
How do I store leftover shrimp stuffed eggplant?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat, use a microwave or steam them to keep the eggplant nice and tender.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the shrimp filling and stuff the eggplant slices a few hours in advance. Just keep them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to fry and steam them.
What do I serve with shrimp stuffed eggplant?
This dish pairs nicely with steamed rice or a light salad. You could also serve it alongside other dim sum favorites for a fun meal.
What are some common mistakes to avoid?
One common mistake is not slicing the eggplant evenly, which can lead to uneven cooking. Also, make sure the oil is hot enough when frying to avoid greasy eggplant.
Shrimp Stuffed Eggplant
Ingredients
Filling:
- 1/2 lb shrimp ,peeled and deveined
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon Shaoxing rice wine
- 1 egg white ,lightly beaten
- 2 green onion ,finely chopped
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 2 Chinese eggplants
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 clove garlic ,minced
- 1 green onion ,chopped
Instructions
- Coarsely chop the shrimp. In a medium bowl, combine chopped shrimp, salt, cornstarch, sugar, white pepper, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice wine and egg white. Transfer to a food processor and process until a coarse paste forms.
- Transfer paste to a bowl and then add green onions and vegetable oil; stir until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Slice each eggplant on the diagonal, about 1-inch thick, then slice through the middle, but not all the way, to create a pocket for the shrimp.
- Fill each eggplant slice to the top with about a teaspoonful of the shrimp mixture. Repeat until all the eggplant slices are filled.
- Heat a wok or skillet over medium-high heat with 1/4 inch of vegetable oil. Working in batches, fry the eggplant slices for two minutes on each side until browned. Drain on a plate lined with paper towel.
- Transfer browned eggplant slices to a clean wok or skillet. Add Ā½ cup water, cover and steam for 5 minutes or until the eggplant is soft and the shrimp is pink and cooked through. Arrange the eggplant on a platter. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine the oyster sauce, sugar, cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water. Cook, stirring for a minute or until sauce thickens.
- Stir in the chopped garlic and chopped green onion.
- Top each eggplant slices with the thick sauce. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Yes indeed I’ve eaten shrimp stuffed eggplant at my favorite restaurant so I googled it n decided to try this one n yes indeed if I don’t say so myself it was delicious n will make again
Awesome! Take care Jennie and happy new year!
Great recipe thanks so much for making it accessible !
You are welcome!
I have made this several times and it is always a huge hit. I use the grapefruit knife method mentioned above to make a larger cavity. I tripled the recipe and it made 26 pieces with a good amount of shrimp paste left (so I couldāve made more if I had more eggplant). I made 5 times the sauce recipe and used the microwave to cook the sauce in a glass bowl. Tried the pieces then steamed them and brushed it on. Exactly like what you get in a top notch Dim Sum restaurant!
I was able to make my grown up kids eat eggplant without coercion and they went for seconds! It was so good, I even enjoyed it myself so Iāll be making it again in the near future. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
You are welcome Anna! Glad everyone enjoyed this recipe. Take care and happy new year!
It is dangerous how delicious this is! I have a lovely dim sum place near my house that I love, but it gets expensive so ai donāt go often. This is my favorite dish they make, so I figured I would give it a go, and now I am going to have to stop myself from making this too much! I ended up using a tiny bit less shrimp because apparently my shells were heavy, so my 10 oz of shrimp with the shells on became about 6 oz after I peeled them. I couldnāt stuff quite as much shrimp into the eggplant as they do in the restaurant, so I ended up using three eggplants (two very large and one medium-small). One of the eggplants I was worried about, because it was very soft and I thought it might have been bad, but that ended up being the best one! I think next time Inwill cut the sugar in the sauce in half, and maybe make 1.5 times more of the sauce. Don delicious, and I am so glad you shared this!
You’re welcome Ellie! Glad you were able to try and made changes along the way. Take care and thanks for writing š
Great just as-is! I use a grapefruit knife for the psrtial center cut. After the first cut with the curved part of the blade, then leaving the uncut “hinge” down, I spin the slice halfway and cut again in the same cut, in the same way, leaving the “hinge” untouched and all the shin intact, just ermovving a lens’shaped piece of the eggplant “meat”. This leaves a larger cavity for the shrimp paste and leaves all the delicious skin intact for easier handling.
Hi Brad,
Thanks for the feedback and added information. Take care!
I made this for a dinner I hosted last night and everyone loved it! It was the star of the meal š
That’s awesome!
Can I refrigerate the shrimp paste overnight?
Hi Linda,
Yes, you can refrigerate the shrimp paste overnight and use it the next day.
Do you think i can bake the eggplants after frying to achieve the same result?
Yes, I think it might work. You can give it a try and let me know how it goes.
This came out great!! My dad is particular when it comes to Chinese food & he said it reminded him of a dish he used to have when growing up in Chinatown. Definitely saving this recipe! Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome Val! Glad you were able to try and had success with the recipe. Take care and thanks for writing š