Izakaya Sakura Nasu Miso Miso Glazed Japanese Eggplant Recipes

IZAKAYA SAKURA NASU MISO (MISO GLAZED JAPANESE EGGPLANT)

Steps:

• Preheat broiler with a rack 4 inches from heat source.
• Heat oil in an ovenproof frying pan over high heat. Add eggplant, flesh side down, and cook until flesh starts to brown and soften (4 minutes).
• In a small bowl, combine miso, sugar, sake and chili flakes. Turn eggplant flesh side up and brush mixture over it.
• Broil eggplant in pan until glaze starts to brown (3 minutes). Sprinkle with cilantro and sesame seeds.

MISO-GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and cut off the stem and calyx. Using the tip of a paring knife, cut an incision down the middle of each half, making sure not to cut through the skin, but cutting down to it. Salt the eggplant lightly and let sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and brush with sesame oil.
• Blot the eggplants with paper towels and place, cut side down, on the baking sheets. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until the skin is beginning to shrivel and the flesh is soft. Remove from the oven, carefully turn the eggplants over, and preheat the broiler.
• To make the glaze, combine the mirin and sake in the smallest saucepan you have and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil 20 seconds, taking care not to boil off much of the liquid, then turn the heat to low and stir in the miso and the sugar. Whisk over medium-low heat without letting the mixture boil, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and whisk in the sesame oil.
• Brush the eggplants with the miso glaze, using up all of the glaze. Place under the broiler, about 2 inches from the heat, and broil for about 1 minute, until the glaze begins to bubble and looks shiny. Remove from the heat. Allow to cool if desired or serve hot. To serve, cut the eggplant halves on the diagonal into 1- to 1-1/2-inch slices.

JAPANESE EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SAUTE

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.

NASU DENGAKU (BROILED JAPANESE EGGPLANTS WITH MISO)

Steps:

• Mix sake or wine with sugar and boil for a few minutes.
• Add miso to wine and cook just until miso is mixed in.
• Lightly brush or rub cut side of eggplants with sesame oil.
• Place eggplants cut side down under a broiler on high for 3 minutes.
• Turn eggplant over and broil another 3 minutes.
• Spread sesame mixture thinly over cut side of eggplant and return to broiler for about 1 minute.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle eggplants with sesame seeds and green onion.
• *Note if you have extra miso mixture it's great to add to a stirfry.

MISO-GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425F Cut the eggplants in half, and score the flesh in a crosswise pattern to make a grid on the surface.
• Whisk together the sesame oil, olive oil, honey, and miso paste in a small bowl. Brush or drizzle over the eggplant flesh, making sure to get into the cracks you cut. Top with a sprinkle of black pepper.
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until the eggplants are golden and the flesh is tender.
• While the eggplant is baking, toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 30 seconds to get them fragrant and crunchy.
• Once you remove eggplant from the oven, top with your sesame seeds and cilantro.

STEAMED EGGPLANT WITH MISO SAUCE (NASU DENGAKU)

Steps:

• Score the eggplants.
• Pour enough oil to come 1/3 of the way up a pan or wok. Heat until a cube of bread browns in 12 seconds.
• Halve the eggplant lengthwise. Lower carefully into the oil. Cook until browned.
• Transfer the eggplant into a steamed basket.
• Place basket over a pan of simmering water. Cook for 15 minutes or until tender. Serve with the dressing.
• For the dressing: Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until combined.