Aubergine Pork Hotpot Recipes

ASIAN AUBERGINE & PORK HOTPOT

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in an ovenproof sauté pan and brown the meat well (you may have to do this in batches), then scoop out of the pan. Add the rest of the oil and the aubergine, brown on all sides, scoop out and add to the pork. Tip the sugar into the pan and leave to caramelise slightly, then return the pork and aubergine to the pan with the star anise and cinnamon, then coat in the sticky caramel.
• Add the onions, ginger and half the chilli, and cook for a few mins with the pork. Add the coriander stalks and splash in the fish sauce and enough water to come about a third of the way up. Cover and place the dish, undisturbed, in the oven for 1 hr, then remove from the oven and add the lime juice and more fish sauce to taste. Stir through half the coriander leaves and the remaining chilli, and scatter over the rest of the coriander. You should have a hotpot of tender meat with soft aubergines all in a punchy little sauce.

PORK CHOPS WITH AUBERGINE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan, tip in the aubergine then fry over a medium heat for 5 mins until soft and golden. Pour in the vinegar. Once the bubbling subsides, stir in the sugar, followed by the tomatoes, basil and seasoning to taste. Stir well and cook over high heat for 5 mins, until the sauce has thickened.
• Meanwhile, heat the grill to medium and season the pork. Place the chops under the grill for 15 mins, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through. Serve the chops with the aubergines on the side.

SPICY EGGPLANT AND PORK HOT POT

Steps:

• Heat oil in a heavy based casserole dish or saucepan over high heat.
• Cook eggplant for 4 min, stirring often.
• Place eggplant on paper towel. Then drain all but 1 tBsp oil from pan.
• Cook pork mince, chilli-garlic sauce, ginger and spring onions for 3-4 min, sitrring often.
• Combine chicken stock, soy sauce, cornflour and caster sugar in a small bowl. Add to pan with eggplant, turn heat off but don't remove the pan, and quickly stir for 2-3 min until sauce is thickened.
• Serve with steamed white rice.