Best Thai Eggplant Curry Recipes

THAI EGGPLANT (THALANA BATU) CURRY

Steps:

• Cut and remove the stem and then cut them into quarters. Remove the seeds using a spoon. Wash them to remove any seeds left.
• Mix Thai eggplant pieces with curry powder, turmeric powder, 1/2tsp salt, and Maldive fish flakes (don't worry if you don't have this ingredient). You can use a spoon or put everything into a container, cover and shake the container to mix everything.
• Heat coconut oil. Add pandan leaves (I didn't have this ingredient at that time), curry leaves, fenugreek seeds, chopped garlic, and onion, and temper them in oil until garlic start to turn light brown on the edges.
• Add Thai eggplants and green chilies. Saute in oil for about a minute or until the green color of the eggplants become brighter. If you love the curry to be hot you can increase the number of green chilies you use. They also contribute to adding a green hue to the curry.
• Add thin coconut milk, mix well and bring to simmer. Then reduce the heat, cover with a lid and cook until Thai eggplant pieces are tender.
• Add thick coconut milk and mix everything only once (if you want more gravy, add more coconut milk, if you like a thick dry curry then add less). Cook the curry on low heat, uncovered, until the liquid reduces to your desired consistency. Do not keep stirring otherwise the flesh of the eggplants would dissolve in the curry and make it mush. Shake the pan from time to time to prevent the bottom from sticking and to mix everything.
• When the curry has reduced to your desired level, turn off the heat, add a few drops of lime juice. This will thicken up the gravy a little bit and add some freshness to the creamy curry.

RED THAI COCONUT CURRY WITH EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Wrap tofu in several layers of paper towels. Place in a colander in the sink. Set a plate on top of tofu and weigh down with a large, heavy can. Let stand for at least 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, shake cans of coconut milk well prior to opening. Pour 1/2 of 1 can into a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in curry paste until well blended. Add eggplant, onion, and bell pepper, stirring well with a rubber spatula to prevent breaking of tender eggplant during cooking.
• Stir remaining 1 1/2 cans coconut milk, dark brown sugar, tamari, rice vinegar, and salt into the saucepan. Mix well. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Unwrap tofu and cut into bite-sized cubes. Stir into curry mixture. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Add peas and cook until warm, 1 to 2 minutes more.

THAI BASIL EGGPLANT CURRY

Steps:

• This is written to chop as you go, but if that makes you nervous or you don't think you can work quickly enough, just chop everything first. I'll bet you can do it the second time you make this, though. Again, this makes a LOT of food so you'll need a big wok or cook pot, or cut the quantities in half.
• Put your rice on so it's cooking while you work. Follow the directions on the bag and set a timer if you have one because you'll be distracted. It'll be done before the food is ready but will stay plenty hot enough to serve.
• Start with the carrots and potatoes; slice them fairly thin and saute them in the oil and 1/3 tin of curry paste on medium-high heat for five minutes. Cover and go to the next step.
• Cut the eggplant into bite-sized cubes. You can peel the eggplant if you want but I think both texture and flavor is better if you leave the skin on. Add to the pan; saute, stirring occasionally, another five minutes. Cover and go on to the next step.
• Slice the onion and bell pepper into fairly thin strips and add them to the pan; saute, stirring occasionally, another five minutes. Cover and go to the next step.
• Cut the zucchini into bite-size pieces and add to the pan. Strip the basil leaves off their stems and add them too. Stir and cover. Just one more step and you're done.
• Get a blender out and blend the can of coconut milk with one can full of chicken broth and the second 1/3 of red curry paste. Take a good long whiff of it. WOW! Remember to sneeze away from the food. Call one of your family in to smell it and laugh as they experience the same thing you just did, but not in a mean way so they won't get mad when you then ask them to set the table for you while you finish up. Get excited about how awesome this is going to be.
• Add the coconut/chicken/curry liquid to the pan and let it come to a simmer. Once it's simmering you can check a potato or a carrot for doneness; they should be tender. Dinner's ready!
• Serve in a bowl over steaming white rice and a box of Kleenex on the table because you're probably going to need it. Jasmine rice really is preferable for this. If you serve this worthy food over instant rice I swear I'll drive over there and whup you myself. Instant rice is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord.

SAUTEED SHRIMP WITH THAI SPICED EGGPLANT AND THAI RED CURRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, over high heat combine the oil and butter. Saute the shrimp until they are just pink, about 3 to 4 minutes, and season with salt and pepper. To serve, place 1/4 cup of the Thai Spiced Eggplant in the center of a plate. Arrange 3 of the sauteed shrimp on top and nap with 1/4 cup of the sauce. Garnish with chiffonade of basil leaves.
• In a medium saucepan, over high heat, add the peanut oil and stir fry the ginger, lemon grass and galangal. Cook until glossy and aromatic, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Add the Thai chiles and stir-fry another 30 seconds. Add the cumin, paprika, red Thai curry paste and tomato. Cook another 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Deglaze the saucepan with coconut milk and bring mixture to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer, add the lime juice, fish sauce, lime leaves and basil. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes and reduce slightly.
• Season, to taste, with salt and sugar. Remove from heat and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and use as needed.
• Preheat a grill. With a fork, poke eggplant several times. Rub with 1 tablespoon of peanut oil. Grill until completely tender. Remove pulp from the charred skin and roughly chop the pulp.
• In a medium saute pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil and butter. Over medium heat, saute the jalapeno, garlic, ginger, and onion until glossy and aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato and eggplant pulp. Stir until well blended. Add the sugar, cumin, and coriander. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Cook over low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Taste and correct seasoning with salt and pepper. Turn off heat and stir in cilantro and Thai basil. Use as needed.