Fairy Tale Eggplant in Ginger-Garlic Sauce

Ingredients:
14 oz fairy tale eggplant, sliced in half lengthwise*
3 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons sake
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch knob fresh ginger, minced
cornstarch
sugar

Directions:
Heat the oil in a large pan. Add the eggplant, cut side down. Add the water and cover. Cook about 2-3 minutes or until the eggplant is softened but not fully cooked. Meanwhile, whisk together the soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sake and pinch of cornstarch and a pinch of sugar. Pour over the eggplant and recover. Cook about 5 minutes or until the eggplant is soft. Serve as a side dish.


*or substitute sliced Chinese eggplant

My thoughts:

Who could resist buying a vegetable as cute as the fairy tale eggplant? No one I'd care to know. I wanted to make something to show off their diminutive size so a quick side dish seemed in order. I really liked how it came out-spicy but not hot. The perfect accompaniment to some marinaded grilled steak and rice.