Passport & Plate - Vietnamese marinated eggplant
Vietnam | Thursday, March 5, 2015 | 5 photos
Ingredients
2 small eggplants (200-300g each)
4 tbs soy sauce
4 tsp sugar
2 tsp ground paprika
3/4 tsp ground black pepper
100g spring onion, finely chopped
How to prepare this recipePreheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
Peel and slice the eggplant into strips approximately 1cm thick. Lightly brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast in the over for 20-25 minutes until soft.
Meanwhile, prepare the marinade by combining the soy sauce, sugar, paprika, sugar and most of the spring onion (save a small handful for garnish if you wish) in a large saucepan.
Once the eggplant is cooked, add the eggplant to the marinade, mix and allow to stand for at least 30 minutes.
Heat the saucepan over a low-medium heat stove, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for five minutes.
Serve with a side of steamed rice. Serves four.
The story behind this recipeFood is one of the greatest adventures in travel.
Meal time is exhilarating. You walk the streets of a new village, town or city, with all the different sights, sounds and smells swirling around you. You scan the street food carts, the kiosks, the cafes, the bars, the restaurants. Where are people going? Following other tourists will lead you somewhere 'safe' and comfortable, but the locals... they will show you the real side of their country. Food isn't just sustenance: it is an expression of a culture, of values, of history.
On our first overseas trip as a married couple, my wife and I travelled to Vietnam. The people - much like the cuisine - were vibrant, honest and welcoming. We wanted to take something home with us that wasn't just a trinket, so we took ourselves off to a cooking class in the beautiful seaside town of Hoi An to get some insight into Vietnamese food and flavours. This recipe is an adaptation of one we learnt called 'Aubergine in clay pot' that jumped out at us for its simplicity and robust flavour. Making it again at home takes us back to the hustle and bustle of Vietnam without needing to get on a plane.
