「Stir-Fried Eggplant」

Ingredients and amounts

• 1.8 eggplants
• 1 star anise
• Half a handful of dried shrimp (as much as an average man can grab)
• 2 scallions
• 50 g ground pork
• 40 ml soy sauce
• 5 g sugar
• 10 ml vinegar

Step-by-step method

1. 1

   Step 1

   Wash the eggplants and cut each one vertically into two halves. Cut each half into diamond-shaped pieces and place in a bowl.

2. 2

   Step 2

   Wash the scallions and cut into chopped scallions. Set aside on a cutting board.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Cut the star anise and set aside on a cutting board.

4. 4

   Step 4

   If using ground pork, stir-fry in 10 ml oil (15 ml if using lean meat) over medium heat until color changes, about 1 minute. Remove and set aside.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Heat the wok over high heat until no water remains inside.

6. 6

   Step 6

   Add cooking oil to the wok, enough to cover the bottom twice. It is better to add more oil than less.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Heat the oil to about 60% hot, then add the optional ingredients: star anise, dried shrimp, and scallions.

8. 8

   Step 8

   If not using optional ingredients like star anise, heat the oil until 90% hot.

9. 9

   Step 9

   When the oil reaches 90% hot, pour the eggplant pieces into the wok and stir-fry with a spatula.

10. 10

    Step 10

    Stir-fry for about 40 seconds, then hold the spatula horizontally and pour soy sauce onto it. Use about 2.5 spatulafuls per person. It is better to add less soy sauce than more, as it can become salty.

11. 11

    Step 11

    When the eggplant is half-soft (about 1 minute later), return the pre-stir-fried ground pork to the wok and mix quickly and evenly.

12. 12

    Step 12

    If adding sugar and vinegar, add them now.

13. 13

    Step 13

    Continue stir-frying.

14. 14

    Step 14

    When all the eggplant pieces have changed color and become soft, remove from the wok.