Gochujang Eggplant Recipes

GOCHUJANG-GLAZED EGGPLANT WITH FRIED SCALLIONS

Steps:

• Place the eggplant in a colander set inside a large bowl or the sink. Sprinkle with the salt, toss to combine and let sit for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, add the gochujang, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil and garlic. Whisk to combine, then set aside.
• To a large nonstick skillet, add the olive oil and the white parts of the scallions. Turn the heat to medium and fry the scallions, stirring often, until crispy and evenly browned, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried scallions onto a paper towel.
• Reserve a small handful of raw scallion greens for garnish, then fry the remaining scallion greens in the oil until crispy and lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer fried scallion greens onto a paper towel.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and carefully pour the hot scallion oil into a glass container or measuring cup.
• After the 30 minutes of salting, dry the eggplant segments with a paper towel. Place the skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of the reserved scallion oil.
• When the oil starts to shimmer and you see a wisp of smoke, add half the eggplant, cut sides down, and fry until browned and starting to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip once and cook another minute on the other side. Transfer to a plate, add 2 more tablespoons of scallion oil back to the pan, and repeat to fry the second batch of eggplants. (If you are lucky enough to have any scallion oil left, use it to fry eggs or to dress a salad.)
• Finally, sauce the eggplants: Add the first batch of eggplants back to the pan alongside the second batch. Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour the reserved gochujang sauce over the eggplants. Toss until evenly coated and the gochujang starts to caramelize, about 1 minute.
• Plate the eggplants on a large platter and garnish with the fried scallions and the reserved raw scallion greens. Serve immediately. (To store for later, transfer to a resealable container and keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. This dish tastes great cold, straight out of the fridge, or at room temperature.)

GOCHUJANG-GLAZED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Halve 4 to 5 Japanese eggplants lengthwise and crosswise. Brush with vegetable oil. Place flesh-side down on a foil-lined baking sheet; bake at 400˚ F until tender, 15 minutes. Whisk 2 tablespoons each soy sauce, gochujang and honey, 1 teaspoon each toasted sesame oil and minced garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Brush glaze on the eggplants; broil until charred, 4 minutes. Brush with the remaining glaze; top with sliced scallions and sesame seeds.

BRAISED GOCHUJANG CHICKEN WITH MISO EGGPLANT TERRINE

Steps:

• Salt the chicken thighs on all sides and let rest for 15 minutes at room temperature. Pat them dry, then sear in some oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat skin-side down until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat on the other side. Add broth, gochujang, soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, 2 tablespoons mirin and half the ginger. Mix well. Reduce heat to low and cover the pot, leaving a small crack for steam to exit. Braise for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pulse the scallions, the remaining ginger and 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil in a food processor. Season to taste. Set aside.
• Whisk miso, egg, remaining 2 tablespoons mirin and 1 tablespoon sesame oil together in a shallow bowl. Spread panko on a sheet tray. Slice eggplants lengthwise into 1/4-inch planks. Dredge eggplants in miso batter, then panko. Arrange on another sheet tray. Continue this process until all the eggplant is done.
• Heat frying oil to 350 degrees F in a deep fryer or Dutch oven. Fry eggplant until the panko is golden brown and the eggplant is cooked through. Layer eggplant, tofu, then ginger-scallion sauce in a casserole dish. Repeat until eggplant is done.
• Remove the chicken from the pot. Julienne the Napa cabbage and add to the pot. Cook the cabbage on medium-high heat until wilted and sauce is reduced, about 5 minutes.
• Slice the eggplant terrine and place on plate. Spoon vegetables on plate, then add chicken on top. Spoon extra sauce and vegetables over the chicken and serve.