Vegan Unagi Don

Vegan Unagi Don is a delightful twist on the classic Japanese dish, featuring grilled eggplant marinated in a sweet and savory glaze that mimics the taste of unagi. Served over a bed of fluffy sushi rice and garnished with fresh vegetables, this dish is both satisfying and flavorful.

Ingredients

• Japanese eggplant - 2 medium
• Soy sauce - 3 tablespoons
• Mirin - 2 tablespoons
• Maple syrup - 1 tablespoon
• Rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon
• Sesame oil - 1 teaspoon
• Cooked sushi rice - 1 cup
• Nori sheets - 1 for garnish
• Sesame seeds - 1 tablespoon
• Green onions - 2 for garnish, chopped
• Pickled ginger - to taste

Steps

1. Preheat the grill or a grill pan over medium heat.
2. In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, mirin, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and sesame oil to create the marinade.
3. Slice the eggplants lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick pieces and brush both sides with the marinade.
4. Grill the eggplant slices for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are tender and have nice grill marks.
5. While the eggplant is grilling, prepare the sushi rice according to package instructions if not already cooked.
6. Once the eggplant is done, remove it from the grill and let it cool slightly. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
7. To serve, place the cooked sushi rice in bowls, top with grilled eggplant, and drizzle any remaining marinade over the top.
8. Garnish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and strips of nori. Serve with pickled ginger on the side.

Nutrition

• Calories: 400
• Protein: 8 g
• Carbs: 65 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants from eggplant, which may help reduce inflammation.
• Contains healthy fats from sesame oil, promoting heart health.

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