SEASONED STEAMED EGGPLANT (LIÁNG BÀN QIÉ ZI)

Serves: 4

■ 2 eggplants (about 12 oz/

340 g total), such as Japanese or Chinese varieties

■ 2 tsp (10 ml) white vinegar

■ 2 tbsp (30 ml) light soy sauce

■ 1 1/2 tsp (7.5 ml) dark soy sauce

■ 1 tsp (5 ml) black vinegar

■ 1 tbsp (15 ml) granulated sugar

■ 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil

■ 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) ground white pepper

■ 1 tsp (5 ml) minced fresh ginger

■ 2 scallions, thinly sliced crosswise

■ 3 cloves garlic, minced

■ 2 tbsp (30 ml) neutral cooking oil, such as canola or grapeseed oil

■ 2 tsp (10 ml) red chili oil (optional; store-bought or homemade)

■ 1 1/2 tsp (7.5 ml) toasted white sesame seeds, store-bought or self-toasted

■ Cilantro leaves

1. Cut off the base of each eggplant, then cut each eggplant into 3 segments. Halve each segment lengthwise so that you have 6 pieces total per eggplant.

2. Add the white vinegar to a large bowl of water. Add the eggplant pieces and let them sit in the liquid for 10-15 minutes.

3. Set a bamboo steamer over 2 inches (5 centimetres) of water in a wok and bring the water to a boil over high. Place a layer of eggplant skin side down in the steamer, then pile the remaining pieces on top (see note), working in batches if necessary.

4. Cover and steam the eggplant over high for 5-7 minutes, until soft and easily pierced with a chopstick. The texture should be silky soft and creamy but still firm enough to hold its shape. Set the steamed eggplant aside in a colander to cool slightly.

5. Meanwhile, mix together the light and dark soy sauces, black vinegar, sugar, sesame oil and white pepper. Set the sauce aside.

6. When the eggplant is cool enough to handle, tear each piece lengthwise into strips about

3/8 inch (one cm) wide. Arrange the eggplant strips on a plate.

Pile the ginger, half of the scallions and the garlic in the centre of the eggplant.

7. In a small saucepan, heat the oil until it bubbles when a chopstick is inserted, 2-3 minutes. Pour the hot oil over the aromatics. They should sizzle and release a gorgeous fragrance.

8. Drizzle the soy sauce mixture and chili oil, if using, over the eggplant. Top with remaining scallions, toasted sesame seeds and cilantro leaves. Serve immediately at room temperature. Note: The first step is a trick to keep that gorgeous purple on the eggplant, otherwise it will turn brown. You can omit this step, though; it has no effect on the taste. When layering eggplant in the steamer, I've found that piling the pieces yields the best result. Place the bottom layer skin down to prevent over steaming, then pile the other eggplant segments on, criss-crossing them to create air pockets so steam can reach every piece.