Sichuan Pepper Eggplants: a journey of spicy flavors. Sichuan Pepper Eggplants are a dish that captured my heart from the very first taste. I still remember the feeling of wonder and joy at that explosion of spicy and aromatic flavor. Since then, I’ve always wanted to recreate that magical taste in my kitchen. With this easy and authentic recipe, you can finally prepare Sichuan Pepper Eggplants right at home. You only need a few common ingredients and a pinch of patience to bring a dish that will take you on a taste journey to China. The tender and flavorful eggplants melt in a spicy embrace with the aromatic sauce, creating an irresistible explosion of flavor. A perfect dish for lovers of oriental flavors, it will also appeal to those who don’t like spicy foods (you can adjust the amount of chili peppers to your liking). What are you waiting for? Test your culinary skills and prepare the Sichuan Pepper Eggplants. Serve them with white rice or a plate of noodles for a complete culinary experience. Get ready for a burst of flavors with this authentic recipe from Sichuan culinary tradition! What are you waiting for? Try it now!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4
- Cooking methods: Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
- Energy 59.57 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 12.23 (g) of which sugars 6.97 (g)
- Proteins 2.14 (g)
- Fat 1.11 (g) of which saturated 0.19 (g)of which unsaturated 0.78 (g)
- Fibers 5.52 (g)
- Sodium 145.94 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 200 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 2 Perlina eggplants (Large)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon ginger (Grated)
- 1 clove garlic (Minced)
- 1 tablespoon hot chili pepper (Optional)
- 1 fresh spring onion (Minced)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- to taste sesame seeds
Tools
- 1 Pan
- 1 Cutting Board
Steps
To prepare Sichuan Pepper Eggplants: easy and authentic recipe, I started by preparing the sauce that will flavor the eggplants. For the sauce, I used: 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of grated ginger, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1 teaspoon of hot chili sauce (alternatively, a fresh hot chili pepper).
Cut the Chinese eggplants, or Perlina eggplants, into slices about one centimeter thick along the entire length of the eggplant. It’s important to use a sharp knife to avoid crushing the eggplants.
Similarly, finely chop the spring onion. We won’t use it yet, but it will be needed at the end of cooking to flavor the dish and garnish it with a touch of color and crunch.
Heat the oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped garlic and sauté until just golden.
Then, add the sliced eggplants and brown them with the garlic. Add Sichuan pepper as well: in this way, while the eggplants cook, its aroma will be released and perfectly blend with the eggplant’s flavor.
Continue cooking for about 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. At this point, add the sauce prepared earlier with the spices, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and chili (as an alternative to hot sauce).
Finally, a few minutes before turning off the heat, add the finely chopped white spring onion and mix with the rest of the ingredients to combine everything.
In conclusion, turn off the heat and cover the pan with a lid. Let it rest for 5 minutes to enhance all the flavors of the ingredients. After resting, the eggplants will be even more flavorful and fragrant, with the taste of spices and soy sauce well absorbed. The white spring onion will add a fresh and crunchy note. Serve hot with white rice or rice noodles. The eggplants will be soft and creamy.
The Sichuan Pepper Eggplants are ready! After plating them, you can optionally add sesame seeds to decorate and further enhance the dish with a crunchy note.
Wines to Pair with Sichuan Pepper Eggplants:
White Wines:
Riesling: A fruity and aromatic white wine with nice acidity that will cut through the richness of the eggplants. Gewürztraminer: A spicy and floral white wine with notes of lychee and rose that will pair well with the spicy notes of Sichuan pepper. Sauvignon Blanc: A fresh and crisp white wine with citrus and herbal notes that will help cleanse the palate.
Red Wines:
Pinot Noir: A light and fruity red wine with notes of cherry and strawberry that will not overpower the delicate flavors of the eggplants. Grenache: A fruity and spicy red wine with notes of black pepper and berries that will pair well with the spicy notes of Sichuan pepper. Cabernet Franc: An earthy and spicy red wine with notes of green pepper and tomato leaf that will pair well with the earthy notes of the eggplants.
Ultimately, the best wine to pair with Sichuan Pepper Eggplants is the one you like the most. Experiment with different wines to find the one that pairs best with your tastes. Here are some tips for pairing wine with food: Consider the weight and texture of the dish. Sichuan Pepper Eggplants are a relatively light and delicate dish, so you’ll want a wine that is not too heavy or tannic. Consider the flavors of the dish. Sichuan Pepper Eggplants have an earthy and spicy flavor, so you’ll want a wine with complementary flavors. Consider your personal preferences. The best wine to pair with a dish is the one you like the most!
I hope this helps you choose the perfect wine for your Sichuan Pepper Eggplants!
