Burnt honey and teriyaki Japanese eggplant
SERVES 4-6 // PREP TIME 35 MINS // COOK 30 MINS (PLUS COOLING)
Yellow (shinshu) miso is fermented for a longer time than white (shiro) miso and is saltier and more acidic. It’s suitable as a multipurpose flavouring or condiment.
8 small Japanese eggplants (100gm each), halved lengthways, scored (see note)
Micro-coriander, shichimi togarashi and toasted sesame seeds, to serve BURNT HONEY TERIYAKI
90 gm honey
20 gm piece ginger, cut into julienne
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
60 ml (¼ cup) soy sauce
60 ml (¼ cup) sake
2 tsp rice wine vinegar, or to taste
SMOKY MISO EGGPLANT
2 large eggplants (400gm each) 4 garlic cloves, finely grated
1 long green chilli, seeded,
finely chopped
¼ cup loosely packed flat-leaf parsley,
finely chopped
1 tbsp yellow miso
2 tbsp yuzu (or lime) juice, or to taste 60 gm Japanese mayonnaise,
such as Kewpie
2 tsp sesame oil 1 For smoky miso eggplant, heat a barbecue or char-grill pan to high. Pierce eggplant all over and barbecue, turning frequently, until skin is charred and flesh is cooked through (18-20 minutes). Place in a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap and stand until cool enough to handle. Peel eggplant, discarding skin and stems. Roughly chop eggplant flesh and place in a colander to drain for 8 minutes.
Return eggplant to a large clean bowl, add the remaining ingredients, season to taste and stir to combine. Set aside.
2 Meanwhile, for burnt honey teriyaki, place honey in a small saucepan over high heat. Cook, swirling pan occasionally, until a dark caramel forms (4 minutes). Combine remaining ingredients in a small jug and gradually whisk into burnt honey until combined (take care, hot honey may spit). Reduce heat to medium and simmer until slightly thickened (5 minutes); cool. 3 To cook Japanese eggplants, heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Brush each eggplant all over with teriyaki and cook, in batches, cut-side down, basting with teriyaki occasionally, until blackened (3 minutes), then turn and cook further until eggplant is cooked through (6 minutes). Repeat with remaining eggplant and teriyaki, wiping pan clean between batches.
4 To serve, spread smoky miso eggplant over a platter and arrange burnt honey and teriyaki eggplant on top. Scatter with shichimi togarashi, sesame seeds and micro-coriander.
Note If Japanese eggplants are unavailable, substitute Lebanese or small eggplants. If you don’t have access to a barbecue or char-grill pan, bake eggplant, turning occasionally, at 240°C until blackened and cooked through (20-25 minutes). ●