Name: Kylie Kwong's stir-fried eggplant with chilli and ginger
Cook time: 1 h
Yield: 4-6
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 400g Japanese eggplants; 3 tbsp peanut oil; 5cm piece ginger,finely sliced; 3 garlic cloves,roughly crushed; ¼ cup shao hsing wine; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 2 tbsp malt vinegar; 1 tbsp light soy sauce; 1 tsp sesame oil; 1 large red chilli,finely sliced lengthways

Kylie Kwong's stir-fried eggplant with red chillies and ginger.William Meppem

easyTime:30 mins - 1 hourServes:4-6

We Chinese cooks love to prepare eggplant in many different ways:braised,pickled,steamed,grilled,smoked,roasted or simply stir-fried,as in this recipe. Roughly sliced regular eggplants are fine to use instead of Japanese eggplants.

Ingredients

400g Japanese eggplants
3 tbsp peanut oil
5cm piece ginger,finely sliced
3 garlic cloves,roughly crushed
¼ cup shao hsing wine
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp malt vinegar
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1 large red chilli,finely sliced lengthways

Method

1. Remove stems from eggplants and cut into one-centimetre slices on the diagonal.
2. Heat two tablespoons of the peanut oil in a hot wok until the surface seems to shimmer slightly. Add eggplant and stir-fry for about 2½ minutes,being careful not to let it burn.
3. Add remaining peanut oil to wok with ginger and garlic and stir-fry for one minute.
4. Add shao hsing wine and sugar and stir-fry for one minute. Add remaining ingredients and stir-fry for a further minute. Serve immediately.
This rich and intensely flavoured dish makes a great accompaniment to a more delicately flavoured dish such assteamed snapper with ginger and shallots,or alongside fried rice for a simple and quick meal. You can substitute a splash of leftover red or white wine for the shao hsing – a hint of alcohol adds depth and character.