Nasu no Nitsuke

Nasu no Nitsuke is a comforting Japanese dish featuring tender braised eggplant simmered in a savory-sweet soy sauce. This vegetarian delight is perfect for a light lunch, bringing rich umami flavors to your plate.

Ingredients

• Japanese eggplant - 2 medium (about 300g)
• Soy sauce - 60ml
• Mirin - 30ml
• Sugar - 1 tablespoon (15g)
• Dashi stock - 150ml (or water with dashi powder)
• Sesame oil - 1 tablespoon (15ml)
• Green onions - 2, chopped
• Ginger - 1 teaspoon, grated
• Garlic - 1 clove, minced
• Toasted sesame seeds - 1 tablespoon (optional, for garnish)

Steps

1. Wash the Japanese eggplants and cut them in half lengthwise.
2. In a pan, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, sautéing until fragrant.
3. Add the eggplant halves to the pan, cut side down, and cook for about 5 minutes until they start to brown.
4. Flip the eggplants and add the soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and dashi stock to the pan.
5. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15-20 minutes, until the eggplants are tender and have absorbed the flavors.
6. Remove the lid and let the sauce reduce for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
7. Serve the braised eggplant garnished with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if using.

Nutrition

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 3 g
• Carbs: 22 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants, which help combat oxidative stress.
• Good source of dietary fiber, supporting digestive health.

Tags