Best 5 Japanese Eggplant Aubergine With Tofu Recipes

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Japanese eggplant aubergine with tofu is a classic dish that combines the umami flavor of eggplant with the soft texture of tofu. It's a popular choice for home cooks and restaurant-goers alike, and it's easy to see why. The combination of flavors and textures is simply irresistible. In this article, we'll share some of our favorite recipes for Japanese eggplant aubergine with tofu, so you can make this delicious dish at home.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

CRISPY SZECHUAN-STYLE EGGPLANT AND TOFU



Crispy Szechuan-Style Eggplant and Tofu image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Categories     main-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

2/3 cup plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 medium eggplant, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 block extra-firm tofu, drained, pressed dry between paper towels and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tablespoon peanut oil, plus more for frying
1/4 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon lime juice
1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
3 Thai bird chiles, minced, or as desired
2 cloves garlic, grated on a rasp
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
Cooked white rice, for serving
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Steps:

  • In a shallow dish, combine 2/3 cup of the cornstarch, the salt and pepper. Toss the eggplant pieces in the cornstarch mixture to coat, shaking off the excess; set aside. Repeat the process with the tofu.
  • Heat 1/2 inch of the peanut oil in a large, deep, straight-sided skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Working in batches, cook the eggplant first, tossing gently until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining eggplant and the tofu.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, lime juice and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
  • Carefully drain the oil from the skillet, and wipe out any residue using paper towels held with tongs. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to the skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the ginger, about 1 teaspoon of the minced chiles (or to taste) and the garlic. Cook, stirring, until just fragrant, about 30 seconds; pour in the chicken stock mixture and bring it to a simmer. Simmer until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the cooked eggplant and tofu to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Stir in the sesame oil and remove from the heat. Serve immediately over rice and garnished with the remaining minced chiles if desired and chopped cilantro.

JAPANESE EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SAUTE



Japanese Eggplant (Aubergine) Saute image

A great way to enjoy one sadly overlooked vegetable. The Eggplant. Add your favorite protein for a great one dish meal! This is my version of my friend Mayumi's recipe. I prefer the long and thin Japanese or Chinese eggplant. They taste less acidic.

Provided by Kirby

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 25m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

5 Japanese eggplants, sliced thinly the short way (they're long and thin- if you only have the larger eggplant, one medium is plenty, diced)
1 garlic clove
1 slice fresh ginger
1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari)
2 teaspoons mirin (you can use a bit more if you prefer your sauce a little sweeter)

Steps:

  • Combine Soy sauce, mirin, crushed garlic and ginger in a bowl.
  • Slice your eggplant thinly and into small pieces.
  • Toss eggplant in hot pan (I use a spray oil like Pam) with the sauce mixture.
  • Sauté at a medium heat until very tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Add a little water to keep the veg moist if necessary.
  • Great as a side dish for fish or chicken.
  • Add diced medium firm tofu or any other protein for a very simple, quick meal.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 178, Fat 1.3, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 1034.7, Carbohydrate 40.5, Fiber 23.5, Sugar 16.5, Protein 8.9

JAPANESE EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) TANAKA AND DASHI



Japanese Eggplant (Aubergine) Tanaka and Dashi image

Madame Benoit suggests to serve this as a side dish to cabbage rolls, which resembled ours in shape, but were stuffed with mashed potatoes mixed with thinly sliced mushrooms, chopped green onions and one or two eggs to bind everything. Salt and pepper are added, then they are cooked in dashi and a few spoonfuls of soy sauce. To serve the cabbage rolls as a soup, make smaller rolls. When cooked, place one in each soup bowl and pour the dashi over.

Provided by Olha7397

Categories     Japanese

Time 45m

Yield 2 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 small Japanese eggplant
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons Japanese soy sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup sake
1/4 teaspoon aji-no-moto (monosodium glutamate) (optional)
6 cups water
1/2 ounce kombu seaweed
1/2 ounce shaved bonito flakes (katsuobushi)

Steps:

  • HOW TO MAKE THE EGGPLANT: Wash eggplant, but do not peel.
  • Cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan.
  • Add the cubes of eggplant and saute over high heat until lightly browned here and there.
  • This should take about 2 minutes.
  • Add the remaining ingredients.
  • Stir well, cover pan and simmer over low heat until eggplant is tender and sauce is just a bit thicker.
  • Serves 2.
  • HOW TO MAKE THE DASHI: Bring the water to a fast rolling boil.
  • Add kombu seaweed.
  • Stir for 2 to 3 minutes to release its flavour.
  • Then remove with a slotted spoon (leaving it in the soup would make it too strong).
  • Bring the water back to a fast rolling boil and add the bonito shavings.
  • Bring back to the boil, then quickly remove from the heat.
  • Let the bonito shavings settle in the bottom of the pan---this usually takes 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Strain; now the dashi, or broth, is ready to use.
  • Yield: 6 cups.
  • *InJapan it is used as much as we use salt, and it is a vegetable protein derivative.
  • If you wish to use it, look for the Japanese type in Oriental shops.
  • **Kombu:Kelp or dried seaweed tangle, which is one of two most basic and important ingredients for making soup stock (dashi).
  • ***Shreddeddried bonito (a fish), the other essential for basic stock (dashi).
  • Can be purchased in one piece, then grated, or already grated and packaged, which is much more convenient.
  • DASHI: This soup stock is the base for almost all Japanese dishes, so it is important to learn how to make it.
  • Chicken stock can replace dashi, but a certain flavour will be missing.
  • Madame Benoit's World of Food.

EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) AND TOFU SATAY



Eggplant (Aubergine) and Tofu Satay image

Eggplant and Tofu in green curry with a peanut coconut satay sauce. Use frozen thawed waterpacked tofu well drained by pressing.

Provided by drhousespcatcher

Categories     Soy/Tofu

Time P1D

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 21

shallot, finely chopped
1 stalk lemongrass, chopped
2 small red chilies, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 inch piece fresh gingerroot, peeled and grated
1 lime, zest of, only
1 tablespoon fresh coriander leaves, and stalks chopped
12 ounces tofu, firm
1 eggplant
2 tablespoons peanut oil
12 short wooden skewers
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 large red chilies, deseeded and chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
3 ounces crunchy peanut butter
7 fluid ounces coconut milk
1 lime, juice of, only
salt, to taste

Steps:

  • curry paste:.
  • grind all the ingredients together until you have a paste. Store in the refrigerator in a screw top jar for up to 2 weeks.
  • skewers:.
  • Mix 3 tbsp green curry paste together with 1 tbsp groundnut oil. Cut the tofu and eggplant into 1/2 inch cubes and thread onto 12 short wooden skewers. Lay flat on a plate and pour over the paste mixture to coat well, rubbing the eggplant and tofu all over. Leave for 30 minutes minimum (or overnight), covered in the fridge to marinade.
  • Brush the vegetables with a the remaining oil and grill under a medium heat until golden.
  • satay sauce:.
  • Heat the oil in a small saucepan and fry the shallot, garlic, chillies and spices for about 5 minutes until tender.
  • Mix the peanut butter with a little warm water to make a thinner paste and add to the pan, together with the coconut milk.
  • Bring to the boil, then simmer until the sauce thickens. Season with lime juice and salt to taste. Divide between 4 small bowls.
  • Serve the skewers on individual plates with a small bowl of satay sauce.
  • Or you can simply buy the curry and the satay to cut time but check your ingredients some carry fish.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 460.5, Fat 39.2, SaturatedFat 14.5, Sodium 126.6, Carbohydrate 21.4, Fiber 6.8, Sugar 7.7, Protein 14.3

JAPANESE GRILLED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) (YAKI NASU)



Japanese Grilled Eggplant (Aubergine) (Yaki Nasu) image

A Japanese restaurant favorite. May be best suited for the more experienced fan of Japanese cuisine.

Provided by PalatablePastime

Categories     Vegetable

Time 30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 lb Japanese eggplant
1/4 cup bonito flakes
1 2/3 cups dashi
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
1 teaspoon mirin
1/2 cup dashi
3 tablespoons dark soy sauce
2 teaspoons mirin
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger

Steps:

  • Bring seasoning ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan and let cool.
  • Bring sauce to a boil in a small saucepan and let cool.
  • Grill eggplants whole on a wire rack on grill until they are soft and feel tender.
  • Test with your finger or a toothpick to see how soft it is.
  • Place in cold water to cool; then peel and pat dry.
  • Put eggplant in seasoning liquid; allow to sit for at least 10 minutes.
  • Remove eggplant and cut into bite-size pieces.
  • Place eggplant into serving dish; top with some sauce and a few bonito flakes; serve at room temperature or chilled.

Tips:

  • Choose the right eggplant. Japanese eggplants are long and slender with a deep purple skin. They have a slightly sweet flavor and a tender texture.
  • Cut the eggplant properly. Cut the eggplant into 1-inch cubes or slices. If you are using a large eggplant, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces.
  • Soak the eggplant in water. This will help to remove the bitterness from the eggplant.
  • Cook the eggplant until it is tender. You can cook the eggplant in a variety of ways, such as stir-frying, roasting, or grilling.
  • Add other ingredients to your dish. You can add other ingredients to your eggplant dish, such as tofu, vegetables, or meat.
  • Serve your eggplant dish immediately. Eggplant is best served hot or warm.

Conclusion:

Japanese eggplant is a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. Whether you are looking for a simple side dish or a more complex main course, there is sure to be an eggplant recipe that you will enjoy. So next time you are at the grocery store, be sure to pick up a few Japanese eggplants and give one of these recipes a try.

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