Fried Eggplant in Shrimp Paste Sauce (蝦醬茄子)

By    :      Mymy Suajico - Santiago 蔡马安

There is a universal love for fried foods as everything cooked in fat seem to taste better. This though has posed health risks as most fried foods are usually chicken or pork.

This is a healthy Vietnamese recipe using Eggplant. Traditionally steamed, frying was rendered for a different flavor facet.

Ingredients  :

1 pc              American Eggplant, sliced into Discs

                  (If Chinese Eggplant, use at least 2 pcs.)

1 pc              Egg, whipped with salt (add Sriracha for heat)

1 cup             Shrimp Batter

Canola Oil, for frying

2 tbsp            Shrimp Paste

¼ cup            White Wine

¼ cup            Water

1 tbsp.            Black Sesame Oil

2 tbsp.            Garlic Cloves, finely chopped

To Taste          Salt & Pepper

Procedure   :

Slice the eggplant ¼ of an inch or use a mandolin

Season with salt & pepper, set aside
Heat Canola Oil in a pan to frying temperature
Dip eggplant piece by piece in egg & coat with shrimp batter

Fry fast to golden brown, do not overcook
Set aside to rest in Paper Towel lined colander
Arrange in a Dish

In a separate pan, sauté garlic in Canola Oil until brown

Add shrimp paste and cook for until rich brown

Deglaze with white wine, Add water to thin Sauce
Stir in Sesame Oil, simmer
Drizzle over fried Eggplant discs

Enjoy with garlic rice…