Recipes

Ma Po Eggplant in Garlic Sauce

Name: Ma Po Eggplant in Garlic Sauce
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground pork, preferably from the shoulder; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sambal oelek or other Asian chile sauce; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1/4 cup soy sauce; Six 8-ounce Asian eggplants, halved lengthwise; 1 tablespoon peanut oil, plus more for brushing; Kosher salt; 2/3 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth; 1/4 cup dry sake; 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar; 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil; 1 teaspoon chile-bean sauce, such as Lee Kum Kee Toban Djan; 3 scallions, minced, plus thinly sliced scallions, for garnish; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 1/2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger; Steamed rice, for serving

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Spicy, stir-fried pork with ginger and garlic is a deliciously piquant foil for silky broiled eggplant in Andrew Zimmern’s Ma Po Eggplant. Plus: Andrew Zimmern's Kitchen Adventures Slideshow: Favorite Chinese Recipes

By

Andrew Zimmern

Updated on June 6, 2019

Ma Po Eggplant in Garlic Sauce — Photo: © Madeleine Hill

Active Time:

45 mins

Total Time:

45 mins

Yield:

6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

1 pound ground pork, preferably from the shoulder
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sambal oelek or other Asian chile sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup soy sauce
Six 8-ounce Asian eggplants, halved lengthwise
1 tablespoon peanut oil, plus more for brushing
Kosher salt
2/3 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth
1/4 cup dry sake
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon chile-bean sauce, such as Lee Kum Kee Toban Djan
3 scallions, minced, plus thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
Steamed rice, for serving

Directions

In a large bowl, mix the pork with the vinegar, sambal oelek, cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.
Preheat the broiler and position the rack 8 inches from the heat. Brush the eggplants with peanut oil and season with salt. Arrange the eggplants cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet and broil for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once, until lightly charred and tender.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the chicken stock with the sake, sugar, sesame oil, chile bean paste and remaining 3 tablespoons of soy sauce. In a wok or large skillet, heat the 1 tablespoon of peanut oil until shimmering. Add the minced scallions, garlic and ginger and stir-fry over high heat until fragrant, 1 minute. Add the pork and stir-fry until no pink remains, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock mixture and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.
Arrange the eggplants cut side up on a platter and spoon the pork on top. Garnish with thinly sliced scallions and serve with steamed rice.

Make Ahead

The cooked eggplant can be refrigerated overnight. Reheat gently before proceeding.