Eggplant & Cucumber Bao Buns

Serves 3

Ingredients

3 cups of eggplant, cut into big chunky cubes

1 Tbsp sesame oil

2 Tbsp hoisin sauce

4 cloves of garlic, finely diced

1 Tbsp tamari

1 ½ tsp grated ginger

1 Tbsp Japanese rice vinegar

3 bao buns (you can buy these frozen from Asian supermarkets and steam them at home, if you can’t find any, this dish also goes great with a serve of sticky white rice)

3 Tbsp pine nuts, blended to a smooth paste

2 Lebanese cucumbers (or 1 regular large cucumber), peeled into thin strips

2 spring onions, diced

2 tsp sesame seeds

Fresh chilli (optional)

 Method

In a medium bowl, toss the eggplant with the sesame oil, hoisin sauce, garlic, tamari, ginger and rice vinegar. Toss until all the eggplant is evenly coated, then tip the whole bowl into a large frying pan.

Fry on moderate heat until the eggplant is cooked through and has started to caramelise in places.

While the eggplant is frying, steam your bao buns according to the instructions on the packet (alternatively, cook your rice).

To serve, cut each bun in half and spread with the pine nut paste, then fill with the eggplant, cucumber strips and spring onion.

Sprinkle the sesame seeds and fresh chilli (to taste) on top of the buns before serving. Eat while steamin’ (makes 3 serves).

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