Crispy Eggplant

Crispy Eggplant is a delightful Vegan Chinese dish featuring thinly sliced eggplant coated in a flavorful batter and fried to golden perfection. Served with a tangy soy-garlic dipping sauce, it makes for a satisfying and healthy lunch option.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 300 grams
• Cornstarch - 60 grams
• All-purpose flour - 30 grams
• Baking powder - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Water - 120 milliliters
• Vegetable oil - for frying
• Soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon
• Chili oil - 1 teaspoon (optional)
• Green onions - 2 stalks, chopped (for garnish)

Steps

1. Slice the eggplant into thin rounds, about 1 cm thick, and sprinkle with salt. Let it sit for 15 minutes to draw out moisture.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine cornstarch, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Gradually add water to the dry ingredients, mixing until a smooth batter forms.
4. Rinse the salted eggplant slices under cold water to remove excess salt, then pat them dry with paper towels.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat (about 180°C).
6. Dip each eggplant slice into the batter, allowing excess to drip off, then carefully place it into the hot oil.
7. Fry the eggplant in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan, for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until crispy and golden brown.
8. Remove the fried eggplant and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
9. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and chili oil (if using) to create the dipping sauce.
10. Serve the crispy eggplant hot, garnished with chopped green onions, alongside the dipping sauce.

Nutrition

• Calories: 250
• Protein: 5 g
• Carbs: 35 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants and vitamins from eggplant, supporting heart health.
• Low in calories while high in dietary fiber, aiding digestion and promoting satiety.

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