Sichuan BBQ Eggplant

Sichuan BBQ Eggplant is a smoky, spicy dish that elevates tender eggplant with bold Sichuan flavors. This high-protein dish combines the richness of eggplant with a savory sauce and a protein boost, making it a delightful and healthy option.

Sichuan BBQ Eggplant
30 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Chinese
320 kcal

Ingredients

  • Chinese eggplant - 400 grams
  • Firm tofu - 200 grams
  • Sichuan peppercorns - 1 teaspoon
  • Garlic - 4 cloves, minced
  • Ginger - 1 tablespoon, minced
  • Soy sauce - 3 tablespoons
  • Doubanjiang (spicy bean paste) - 1 tablespoon
  • Sesame oil - 1 tablespoon
  • Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons
  • Spring onions - 2, chopped
  • Cilantro - 2 tablespoons, chopped
  • Salt - to taste

Steps

  1. Preheat the grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Cut the eggplants into long halves and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture.
  3. Meanwhile, press the tofu to remove excess water, then cut it into cubes.
  4. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, doubanjiang, garlic, and ginger to create the marinade.
  5. Rinse the eggplants and pat them dry with a paper towel. Brush them with vegetable oil and place them on the grill, cut side down.
  6. Grill the eggplants for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender and have grill marks. Flip them over and brush with the marinade.
  7. In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add Sichuan peppercorns and fry for a minute until fragrant. Add the tofu cubes and fry until golden, about 7-10 minutes.
  8. Toss the grilled eggplants with the fried tofu and remaining marinade, cooking everything together for another 2-3 minutes to heat through.
  9. Drizzle with sesame oil, and garnish with chopped spring onions and cilantro before serving.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 320
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Carbs: 26 g
  • Fiber: 8 g
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 850 mg
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

  • Rich in antioxidants from eggplant, which can support heart health.
  • High in protein from tofu, contributing to muscle repair and maintenance.

Tags

ChineseHigh ProteinBBQ