Steamed eggplant Shandong-style
Liang pan qiezi
This fabulous cold salad is often eaten during the stifling hot summer months in north China. But it’s so delicious that it is also perfect as a winter starter. Traditionally, the eggplant is steamed and served with a piquant roasted sesame sauce, but sometimes I’ve roasted it for that smoky flavour. I’ve seen this salad presented in chunks, in strips or puréed. I prefer the slender Japanese eggplants but the common Mediterranean variety is also good. — Tony Tan
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Steamed eggplant Shandong-style
Serves
6
Cooking Time
Prep time 10 mins, cook 20 mins
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3-4
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Japanese eggplant (about 900gm), rinsed and stalks removed (see note)
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1 tbsp
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roasted sesame seeds, or to taste (see note)
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1/3 cup
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(firmly packed) coriander leaves, coarsely chopped
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1 tbsp
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finely chopped garlic chives
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| Roasted sesame dressing |
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2 tbsp
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sesame oil
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2 tbsp
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light soy sauce
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1 tbsp
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rice vinegar
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1 tbsp
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Shaoxing wine
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1 tbsp
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roasted sesame paste (see note)
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1 tsp
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white sugar
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1 tsp
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chilli oil, or to taste
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1
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large garlic clove, finely minced
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1
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Place eggplant in a single layer in a bamboo steamer basket over a saucepan or wok of boiling water and steam until limp and wrinkled (15-20 minutes). Cool and cut into chunks and chill or keep at room temperature.
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2
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For roasted sesame dressing, combine ingredients in a bowl and stir until sugar dissolves. Just before serving, pour dressing over eggplant, toss lightly to coat, scatter with sesame seeds, coriander and garlic chives and serve immediately.
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Note If using Mediterranean eggplant, halve lengthways, sprinkle cut-side lightly with salt and stand for 30 minutes. Rinse and dry using absorbent paper before steaming. Roasted sesame seeds are available from Asian grocers. Alternatively, you can dry-roast sesame seeds in a pan until light golden. Roasted sesame paste is a Chinese-style sesame paste that is available from Asian grocers.
Drink Suggestion Semillon sauvignon blanc.
RECIPE Tony Tan
PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Chen
STYLING Lisa Featherby and Lou Fay
DRINK SUGGESTION Max Allen