Spicy & Sweet Grilled Eggplant: An Easy Recipe for a Rice-Stealing Dish!
Fragrant, pan-fried eggplant with a savory soy sauce glaze – a truly exquisite side dish.
This healthy and delicious grilled eggplant is a family favorite! Pan-frying tender eggplant until golden brown in olive oil enhances its natural sweetness and aroma. Topped with a mouthwatering soy sauce glaze, featuring the subtle heat of chili peppers and a delightful balance of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and maple syrup, this dish is a guaranteed ‘rice thief’ that will have you devouring bowls of rice in no time! It’s incredibly easy to make, making it perfect for housewarming parties or as a special side dish.
Main Ingredients for Grilled Eggplant
- 2 Eggplants
- 1 Cheongyang pepper (optional, if you like it spicy)
- 2-3 Tbsp Olive oil (for brushing the eggplant)
Exquisite Sweet & Savory Glaze Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for color and mild heat)
- 1/3 Tbsp Oyster sauce (for umami boost!)
- 1/3 Tbsp Maple syrup (for subtle sweetness and shine)
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame oil
- Pinch of black pepper (freshly ground for best flavor)
- 2 Tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for color and mild heat)
- 1/3 Tbsp Oyster sauce (for umami boost!)
- 1/3 Tbsp Maple syrup (for subtle sweetness and shine)
- 1/2 Tbsp Sesame oil
- Pinch of black pepper (freshly ground for best flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the eggplants thoroughly under running water and pat them dry. You can trim off the stem ends if they appear unclean.
Step 2
Slice the eggplants lengthwise into pieces about 1 cm thick. Slicing them too thin can cause them to break apart during cooking, while slices that are too thick will take longer to cook through. Aim for a medium thickness.
Step 3
Make decorative crisscross scores (diamond pattern) on both sides of the eggplant slices with a knife. These scores help the glaze penetrate deeper and result in a more tender texture after cooking. Be careful not to cut too deep.
Step 4
Heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place the scored eggplant slices in the skillet and grill them until golden brown on both sides. They are ready when they become tender and develop a nice golden-brown color, releasing some of their moisture. Lightly brushing the eggplant with olive oil before grilling can make them even more moist and delicious.
Step 5
Arrange the beautifully grilled eggplant slices attractively on a serving plate. A visually appealing presentation can further enhance the dining experience.
Step 6
Now, let’s prepare the delicious glaze. In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1/3 tablespoon of oyster sauce. Oyster sauce is key to adding a rich umami flavor.
Step 7
Add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and 1/3 tablespoon of maple syrup. You can substitute maple syrup with corn syrup or honey, but maple syrup offers a unique flavor and a lovely sheen.
Step 8
Incorporate 1 tablespoon of gochugaru for color and a hint of spice, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper for aroma. Grinding pepper just before use preserves its vibrant fragrance.
Step 9
Finally, add 1/2 tablespoon of sesame oil to complete the savory profile and stir everything well until the glaze ingredients are fully combined. Feel free to adjust the glaze proportions to your liking.
Step 10
Sprinkle the finely chopped Cheongyang pepper (optional) over the grilled eggplant. Then, generously spoon the prepared soy sauce glaze over the eggplant slices. Gently spread the glaze to ensure an even coating for maximum flavor.
Step 11
Voila! Your stunning Spicy & Sweet Grilled Eggplant is ready. This dish is incredibly satisfying, especially when served with a bowl of rice on a day when your appetite is a bit low. Enjoy this ‘rice thief’ dish that is sure to earn you compliments from your family!
