Enjoy seasonal eggplant! 3 Easy and Popular Recipes for Summer

Hello! Today, we'll be introducing some delicious recipes using eggplant, a seasonal summer ingredient. Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that's low in calories yet highly nutritious, and can be used in a variety of dishes. We've picked out three easy recipes that are perfect for the upcoming season, so be sure to give them a try!

The appeal of eggplant and how to choose it

Eggplant is one of the most popular summer vegetables, and is in season from July to September. It is high in water content and rich in nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. It also has a unique flavor and texture, and is used in a variety of dishes, both Japanese and Western

Here are some tips to help you choose the best eggplant:

• Dark, shiny skin
• The stem part is fresh and firm
• The whole is taut and heavy

When purchasing at the supermarket, check to see if it is damaged

3 Recommended Eggplant Recipes

1. Grilled eggplant with sweet miso sauce

Grilled eggplant is a simple dish that lets you enjoy the natural flavor of eggplant. Adding sweet miso makes it even more delicious

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 2 eggplants
• 2 tablespoons sweet miso
• White sesame seeds (as needed)

How to make it

1. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise and make a grid pattern on the surface with a knife
2. Heat salad oil in a frying pan and fry the eggplant cut side down
3. Once browned, flip it over, cover and steam over low heat
4. Once the eggplant is cooked, place it on a plate and spread with sweet miso
5. Sprinkle with ground white sesame seeds and it's done

2. Eggplant and minced meat stir-fried with curry

This dish is a perfect combination of eggplant and minced meat. The curry powder flavor will whet your appetite

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 1 eggplant
• 100g minced pork
• 1/2 onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• a little salt
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• salad oil (appropriate amount)

How to make it

1. Cut the eggplant into chunks and soak in water. Finely chop the onion and grate the garlic
2. Heat salad oil in a frying pan and fry the eggplant
3. Once the eggplant is cooked, remove it from the frying pan and fry the onion, garlic and minced pork in the same frying pan
4. When the meat changes color, add the curry powder and continue to stir fry
5. Add the eggplant back in and season with salt and soy sauce

3. Mapo eggplant

Mapo eggplant is a classic Chinese dish seasoned with spicy meat and miso. It's easy to make at home, so be sure to give it a try

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 2 eggplants
• 100g minced pork
• 1/2 long green onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 piece of ginger
• 1 teaspoon chili bean paste
• 1 tablespoon sweet bean sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sake
• 1 teaspoon chicken stock powder
• 100ml water
• 1 tablespoon salad oil
• 1 teaspoon potato starch
• 1 teaspoon water

How to make it

1. Cut the eggplant into chunks, cut the green onion diagonally, and chop the garlic and ginger
2. Heat salad oil in a frying pan and fry the eggplant. Once the eggplant is cooked through, remove it from the pan
3. In the same frying pan, add the garlic and ginger and fry until fragrant, then add the ground pork and fry
4. When the color of the minced pork changes, add the chili bean paste and sweet bean paste and stir-fry
5. Return the eggplant to step 4, add soy sauce, sake, chicken stock powder and water and bring to a boil
6. Thicken with water-dissolved potato starch and sprinkle with green onions

Tips and Points

• Eggplant goes well with oil, so it is recommended to fry it in plenty of oil
• Adjust the amount of chili bean paste to your taste. If it's not spicy enough, try adding about 1/2 teaspoon more
• Finishing off with a sprinkling of green onions adds a refreshing flavor and accent

summary

Eggplant is a typical summer vegetable that can be easily prepared deliciously. You can enjoy a wide variety of recipes, such as grilling, frying, and tossing. Eat lots of eggplant when it's in season to help prevent summer fatigue. Please use the recipes introduced here as a reference and enjoy eggplant dishes!