Readers ask: How To Cook Eggplant Chinese Style?

What is the best way to prepare eggplant?

Cook as desired. Eggplants can be grilled, steamed, braised, stir-fried, deep-fried and roasted. For a smoky flavour, turn whole eggplants over an open flame on the barbecue or stovetop until the skin is charred, then scoop out the flesh. Choose eggplants with smooth and shiny skin that is even across the surface.

What is the difference between Chinese eggplant and regular eggplant?

Due to the fact that Chinese eggplant has less number of seeds, it is not bitter like that of typical eggplant and tends to have a mild and sweet flavor. In fact, Chinese eggplant is considered to have the most delicate flavor of all eggplants varieties. On the other hand, regular eggplant is less flavorful.

Do you have to soak eggplant before cooking?

Many recipes call for salting and rinsing eggplant before cooking it to draw out its bitterness. This technique of soaking sliced or chopped eggplant in salt water is particularly useful when making grilled eggplant. You can brine eggplant for use in any recipe (whether it calls for brining or not) using this method.

How do you fry eggplant without getting soggy?

Sweat the eggplant. With the air pockets full of moisture, there’s not as much room for the oil to soak in. Sprinkle salt over the sliced eggplant, let it sweat for 30 to 60 minutes, then rinse and pat dry before cooking.

Can you use regular eggplant instead of Chinese?

In most recipes, the different types of eggplant are interchangeable. If you would like to serve a more delicate eggplant than the common type, use the mild-flavored, excellent Chinese and Japanese varieties. Some cooks are concerned that their eggplant might be bitter.

Is eggplant healthy to eat?

Eggplant is a high-fiber, low-calorie food that is rich in nutrients and comes with many potential health benefits. From reducing the risk of heart disease to helping with blood sugar control and weight loss, eggplants are a simple and delicious addition to any healthy diet.

What is the best tasting eggplant?

Sweet, tender, flavorful and creamy, Fairy Tale are simply the best eggplants we’ve ever tasted,” says Taylor. This quick-cooking variety is so delicious that it doesn’t even need to be salted. Taylor suggests slicing them lengthwise, then tossing them into stir-fries or sautés, or skewering them on the grill.

Why eggplant is bad for you?

Eggplants are part of the nightshade family. Nightshades contain alkaloids, including solanine, which can be toxic. Solanine protects these plants while they are still developing. Eating the leaves or tubers of these plants can lead to symptoms such as burning in the throat, nausea and vomiting, and heart arrhythmias.

How can you tell if Chinese eggplant is bad?

8 Tips to tell if eggplant has gone bad

1. Eggplant stopped being firm and starts getting soft.
2. It is not so nicely shiny any more.
3. The skin starts looking slightly shriveled’
4. When cut, your eggplant is slightly slimy.
5. The flesh, when cut, is turning brown.
6. The seeds are slimy.
7. There are rotting spots on the fruit.

Should Eggplant be peeled?

While the skin of a small young eggplant is edible, the skin becomes bitter on larger or older eggplants and should be peeled. Use a vegetable peeler (we love this OXO Softworks Y Peeler, $9, Target) or paring knife to remove the skin. The flesh discolors soon after peeling, so peel eggplant right before using.

What is eggplant called in China?

In Chinese cuisine, eggplants are known as qiézi (茄子).