Eggplant and Pepper Stir-Fry

This quick and easy stir-fry is a tasty way to cook seasonal eggplant and hot pepper together with classic Chinese seasonings. Serve it over rice.

 

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic crushed
8 ounces japanese (asian) eggplant  cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 hot green peppers (use bell pepper if you prefer non spicy food)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
½ teaspoon sesame oil
½ teaspoon hot chili pepper oil (optional)
1 pinch sugar
1 teaspoon rice vinegar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

 

 

Direction:

Step 1:    Add 1 tablespoon salt to eggplant.  Mix well.   Set aside for 10 minutes.  Squeeze out the liquid.  Add 1 tablespoon to the eggplant. Mix well.

            

 

 

Step 2:    In a wok or a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until hot.  Add the eggplant, stirring often, and cook until the eggplant pieces are soft and browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic, hot green pepper pepper, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the peppers start to become soft but still crunchy. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, hot chili oil if using, sugar and rice vinegar, and cook for another 1 minute until heated through.

Adjust the seasonings to taste if needed. Top with fresh cilantro and scallions(optional), and serve warm with rice.