Thai Basil Eggplant Recipes

THAI BASIL EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Peel eggplant if desired (I don't). Cut into irregular shapes but same sizes. That makes them easier to turn and keeps them from sticking to the pan.
• Heat wok over med-high heat. Add oil, peppers and garlic. Cook until garlic becomes lightly browned, 1-2 minutes.
• Add eggplant and stir. Add 1/2 cup water cover and simmer 5 minutes, until eggplant has soaked up most of the water and becomes translucent. You may need to add more water as it cooks.
• Add fish sauce and sugar. Stir gently. Turn off the heat and add the basil stir gently.
• Serve immediately.
• Really good with jasmine rice :O.

THAI BASIL EGGPLANT

Steps:

• 1. First, prepare sauce by mixing together all sauce ingredients except cornstarch. Prepare the cornstarch and water mixture in a separate cup or bowl. Set both aside. 2. Chop the eggplant up into bite-size pieces (leave the peel on) 3. Chop other vegetables you are adding 4. Place 2-3 Tbsp oil (peanut or olive) in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, half of the garlic, chillies, eggplant, other vegetables. Reserve the rest of the garlic for later. 5. Stir-fry for 5 minutes. When the wok or frying pan becomes dry, add a little of the water (a few Tbsp at a time) - enough to keep the ingredients frying nicely. 6. Add 2 Tbsp soy sauce and continue stir-frying for 5 more minutes, or until the eggplant is soft and the white flesh is almost translucent. Add a little more water when the pan becomes too dry (up to 1/4 cup). 7. When the eggplant is soft, add the rest of the garlic plus the sauce. Stir-fry to incorporate. 8. Lastly, add the cornstarch/water mixture. Stir well so that the sauce thickens uniformly (this will only tale a minute or less). Remove from heat. 9. Taste test the eggplant for salt. If not salty enough, add a little more fish sauce. If too salt, add 1 Tbsp lime juice (or substitute 1 tbsp lemon juice). 10. Add 3/4 or the fresh basil, stirring briefly to incorporate. 11. Slide onto a serving platter and sprinkle the rest of the basil over the top. Serve with jasmine rice.

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.

THAI FRIED EGGPLANT WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Mix fish sauce, soy, water and brown sugar; set aside. Heat wok on medium-high heat. Add 2tbsp oil, and eggplants. Fry for 2 minutes on either side, or until they begin to brown and turn soft. Remove from wok. Add 1 tbsp oil to wok. Add onions, and fry for 3-4 minutes, or until soft and glossy. Remove from wok. Heat remaining oil. Add garlic and chiles, and fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add sliced pepers and onions; fry for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Return eggplant to the wok, and toss to combine. Add sauce to the wok, stirring for 1 minute. Toss in basil. Add corn starch, cooking until the sauce becomes thick and coats the vegetables. Serve immediately over hot rice.