Kabayaki-style eggplants
If, for whatever reason, you prefer not to use the microwave, you may steam the eggplants instead.
Ingredients
- 2 large Asian eggplants
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sake
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Cut off and discard the tops and bottoms of the eggplants. Peel the eggplants.
- Place the peeled eggplants in a microwaveable bowl and cover with cling wrap. Microwave on HIGH for one minute.
- Place the eggplants on a cutting board and cut each horizontally into halves.
- Butterfly the eggplants, kabayaki-style. Slit each eggplant half down on the middle but without cutting all the way through. Open up the eggplant and make a similar slit along the left and right portions.
- Butterfly the rest of the eggplant halves.
- Pour the soy sauce, mirin and sake (and sugar, if using) into a shallow pan. Set on the stove over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
- Arrange the butterflied eggplants in the pan in a single layer, cut side down.
- Cook the eggplants until softened but not mushy, and the sauce has been soaked up.
- Serve the kabayaki-style eggplants over hot rice.