Beat the heat with popular summer eggplant dishes

As the summer heat really sets in, appetites tend to decrease, but that's when you want to make the most of the seasonal vegetable, eggplant. Eggplant, with its beautiful vibrant blue-purple color, has long been loved as the perfect vegetable for preventing summer fatigue. It's rich in water and has a cooling effect on the body, making it the perfect food for the hot season

Eggplant also pairs well with oil, so frying or stir-frying it can help boost your stamina in the summer. It can also be cooked in a variety of ways, from grilling and simmering to pickling, making it a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways

Various eggplant varieties and their characteristics

When you look at it like this, you realize there are so many different types of eggplants that you don't usually realize. Eggplants can be found in stores all year round, but their true season is summer. Summer eggplants have thin skin and soft, juicy flesh, making them the most delicious at the time of year

How to Choose and Store Delicious Eggplants

There are a few points to consider when choosing a delicious eggplant. First, the sharper the spines on the calyx are, and the fresher the cut end of the stem is, the fresher the eggplant is. A good eggplant is considered to have a deep purple skin color, no scratches or discoloration, and a firm, shiny appearance

Eggplants are sensitive to cold and dryness, so when storing them, it is recommended to put them in a plastic bag or wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and store them in the vegetable compartment. If stored properly, they can be enjoyed for several days while maintaining their flavor

Easy microwave recipe for chicken and eggplant with ponzu sauce

Here's a microwave-safe recipe using eggplant, a summer favorite. Chicken and eggplant are seasoned with ponzu sauce for a refreshing taste, making this the perfect dish for a hot day

Ingredients (for 4 people)

• Chicken thighs... 2 pieces (about 400g)
• Eggplant... 3 pieces
• 4 tablespoons ponzu sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic (grated)
• 1 piece of grated ginger
• Green onion (finely chopped)... appropriate amount

How to make it

1. Prepare the ingredients: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, and remove the stems from the eggplants and cut them into chunks. After cutting the eggplants, soak them in water to remove any bitterness.
2. for mixing the seasonings, combine ponzu sauce, sesame oil, grated garlic, and grated ginger, and mix well to make the seasoning liquid.
3. microwave- safe dish, pour the seasoning liquid over them, and coat them evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and heat in a 600W microwave for 8 minutes.
4. Finally , remove from the heat, stir everything together, and heat again for 3 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions and it's ready.

5-minute microwave-safe eggplant simmered recipe

This is a mild-tasting simmered eggplant dish that can be made in a short amount of time using a microwave

Ingredients (for 4 people)

• Eggplant... 3 pieces
• Dashi stock... 200ml
• Soy sauce...2 tablespoons
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• Sugar...2 teaspoons
• 1 piece of ginger (shredded)

How to make it

1. Preparing the eggplant : Remove the stem from the eggplant and cut it lengthwise into four equal parts. Make diagonal cuts in the skin and soak it in water to remove the bitterness.
2. Prepare the seasoning liquid by mixing dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, and sugar together.
3. microwave- safe container, cover with plastic wrap, and heat in a 600W microwave for 5 minutes.
4. To finish , let it sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving. It's also delicious served chilled.

Deep-fried eggplant pickled in sweet and sour sauce recipe

This recipe for fried eggplant pickled in sweet and sour sauce is perfect for a refreshing summer meal. It's also great for making in advance

Ingredients (for 4 people)

• Eggplant... 4 pieces
• Frying oil...appropriate amount
• 4 tablespoons vinegar
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• Soy sauce...2 tablespoons
• 1 red chili pepper (sliced)
• Grated daikon radish, myoga ginger, etc. (optional)... appropriate amount

How to make it

1. Preparing the eggplant : Remove the stem from the eggplant, cut it in half lengthwise, then slice it diagonally. Soak it in water to remove the bitterness, then pat it dry thoroughly with a paper towel.
2. To prepare the sweet and sour sauce , mix together the vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and red chili peppers. Mix well until the sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Fry the eggplant in 170°C oil until golden brown. Drain the oil well and soak the eggplant in sweet vinegar while it is still hot.
4. allow the flavors to meld . Serve in a bowl and garnish with grated daikon radish or Japanese ginger as desired.

Frozen fried eggplant

These frozen fried eggplants are convenient for quick cooking. Simply thaw them and use them in a variety of dishes, from pasta to Japanese cuisine

These frozen eggplants are pre-cut and deep-fried, so they can be used immediately in a wide range of dishes, including simmered dishes, stir-fries, and curries

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Recommended black vinegar

This organic black vinegar is aged for three years and is perfect for making sweet and sour pickles and dressings. It has a mellow acidity

Kakushida Fukuyama Black Vinegar, 3-Year Aged Organic Black Vinegar, 500ml

This organic JAS-certified black vinegar is made from natural spring water from Fukuyama Town, Kagoshima Prefecture, and is aged for three years using high-quality rice koji. Its mellow acidity makes it perfect for both cooking and drinking

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Sesame oil

This fragrant sesame oil is essential for the Mugen Eggplant recipe. Just adding a little sesame oil at the end of the dish will add richness to the dish

Kadoya Pure Sesame Oil PET 600g

This fragrant, pure sesame oil is made from carefully selected sesame seeds. Add it to stir-fries or other dishes to create a flavorful dish. It comes in a PET bottle for easy use and storage

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summary

Eggplant is rich in water and has a cooling effect on the body, making it the perfect vegetable for summer. By using a microwave, you can make delicious dishes without using heat, making cooking in the hot summer comfortable

We have introduced a variety of cooking methods that allow you to fully enjoy the charm of eggplant, from a recipe finished with a refreshing ponzu sauce, to infinite eggplant with the flavor of sesame oil, to traditional simmered and pickled eggplants

Eggplant, which originated in India and has been loved in Japan since the Nara period, has many different varieties that have developed in different regions, each with its own unique texture and flavor

Get through the hot season in a healthy way with dishes using seasonal summer eggplant. You can bake it, fry it, or make it into a pickle. Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, so be sure to include it in your daily meals