Chinese Eggplant in Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried shrimp
- 2 tablespoons sherry
- 6 small Chinese mushrooms
- 2 fresh green hot peppers
- 1 green bell pepper or sweet red pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons sherry (in which the dried shrimp was soaking)
- 1 medium eggplant (1-1 1/4 lb.)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3 tablespoons oil or chicken fat
- 1/2 cup stock (combine chicken and mushroom)
Instructions
Rinse the dried shrimp. Soak for 1 hour in 2 tablespoons sherry. Rinse mushroom, cover with warm water, and soak for 30-60 minutes or until soft. Cut off stems and leave whole. Save stock. Triangle-cut peppers. Mince garlic. Prepare seasoning sauce: blend together the hot sauce, soy sauces, vinegar, sugar, 1 tablespoons sherry in which dried shrimp was soaked. Trim off ends of eggplant and discard. Cut the eggplant into eighths lengthwise. Cut the slices into 1 1/2 to 2 inch cubes. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt and place on cookie sheet, with paper towels and chopping block in top. Let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse, drain, and dry eggplant slices well. Mince dried shrimp. Place wok over high flame for 30 seconds. Add 3 tablespoons of oil, and heat for 20 seconds or until oil is very hot but not smoking. Ass eggplant cubes; stir and press lightly to aid browning. Cook over a medium flame until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add drained and minced shrimp and continue to stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add garlic. Add mushrooms and peppers. Stir-fry until tender, about 1-2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup stock. Cook, stirring about 5 second. Add seasoning sauce. Cook over medium flame, stir-frying about 3-5 minutes, or until juices have thickened. Empty contents of wok into a serving dish. Serve hot, warm or cold.
