Eggplant simply doesn’t get much better than it does in this Spicy Miso Glazed Eggplant recipe. Even if you’re a person who doesn’t like eggplant, this will turn you!
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Do you know how eggplants got their name?
They’re not eggs, after all!
Turns out that small, Thai eggplants are a whitish, yellowish color and have the shape of a goose egg. And because of these particular fruits, in the 18th century, the name eggplant was born.
(Yes, though eaten as a vegetable, technically eggplants are a fruit — a berry actually!)
And yes, whether you’re dark purple or burgundy, small and cute, long and thin, or big and round, you’re still an eggplant. No discrimination here!
I found these beauties in an Indian market and fell in love with them. They were just so pretty — I had to buy a big bag of them.
And what did I do with them? I made an amazing miso glazed eggplant recipe.
The Asian flavors in this recipe are so unbelievably scrumptious, especially when caramelized.
This recipe is truly an out-of-this-would eating experience. The bites of miso glazed eggplant are sweet and savory all at once. They have a super thin “crust” from caramelizing, and are soft on the inside.
Here’s what I’m thinking . . . . call a few friends and invite them over this weekend. Make this super yummy eggplant, a big pot of Curried Corn Stew, and some brown rice.
Ask one of your guests to bring wine and one to bring dessert. There you have it, a dinner party in the works!
I hope you love this Spicy Miso Glazed Eggplant as much as I do!
Eggplant simply doesn’t get much better than it does in this Spicy Miso Glazed Eggplant recipe.
- 1/4 cup light or white miso paste (Shiro-Miso)
- 3 tablespoons mirin (sweet Japanese rice wine)
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon low-sodium soy sauce or Tamari
- 2 teaspoons chili paste (Sambal Oelek is perfect), see notes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger pulp
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 pounds eggplant (I like the Indian or Chinese, or Japanese varieties, but any eggplant is okay)
- grapeseed oil for the pan
- 1/2 cup dry sherry
- fresh mint leaves for garnish
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In a large mixing bowl, whisk the miso paste with the mirin, soy sauce, chili paste, garlic, ginger and sugar. Set aside.
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Wash and dry the eggplant, and then cut it into sticks that are about 3-inches long and 1/2-inch wide. Add them to the marinade as you work, and once all the eggplant has been cut, mix gently to ensure all of it has been evenly coated with the marinade. (It's a thick marinade, so there shouldn't be to much excess at the bottom of the bowl.) Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinade for about 30 minutes.
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Coat a large sauté pan with the oil and place it over medium-high heat. Once it's very hot, add the marinated eggplant. It should sizzle immediately -- if it doesn't, wait until the pan is hot enough! Brown the eggplant on all sides. This should take a couple of minutes. Then reduce the heat to medium low, and cook just until the eggplant is soft, about another 6 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the sherry and cook just until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 30 seconds or so.
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Add a few mint leaves to the eggplant and serve over rice.
If you're not sure how much heat you want, don't add the chili paste to the marinade -- wait until you've finished sauteéing and season to taste with it then.
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Ericka Sanchez (@NibblesNFeasts) says
March 2, 2012 at 7:55 amThis is beautiful! My mouth just watered! 😮
valentina says
March 3, 2012 at 4:00 pmThanks, Ericka! 😀
sippitysup says
March 2, 2012 at 3:38 pmThe rich colors in these photos is so beautiful. No flowers needed. GREG
valentina says
March 3, 2012 at 4:01 pmThanks so much, Greg! 🙂
averagebetty says
March 2, 2012 at 4:47 pmBeautiful photos — the color on those eggplant are as pretty as flowers 😉 And mmm mmm. Can I bring dessert? xo
valentina says
March 2, 2012 at 4:50 pmI love you people! Thank you! xo
Sylvia@Peaches and Donuts says
March 2, 2012 at 8:59 pmAm always on the lookout for new eggplant recipes and I love them!! This looks perfect!
valentina says
March 3, 2012 at 3:10 pmThanks so much!
Nicole Presley says
March 4, 2012 at 3:29 amI am GOING to have to make this for my momma!
valentina says
March 3, 2012 at 3:12 pmYay! That makes me happy.
Tori @ The Shiksa in the Kitchen says
March 4, 2012 at 8:47 pmPinned this one! Looks so delicious, and healthy too! The minute you mentioned Sambal Oelek I was hooked. 🙂
valentina says
March 3, 2012 at 4:13 pmThanks, Tori! Sambal Oelek is a staple around here. 🙂
Sophie says
March 5, 2012 at 10:27 amWhat a divine & truly beautiful eggplant aka aubergines dish!
I love it! Yummm,..;I can’t wait to make it! So special too!
Christy says
July 18, 2012 at 2:53 amSoooo yummy! We couldn’t find miso paste at the grocery store so we just doubled the soy sauce and ended up putting a little bit more sugar. We made it with udon noodles. Mm!! Will keep this bookmarked.
valentina says
July 18, 2012 at 4:36 amChristy, so happy you loved this! I LOVE udon noodles! 🙂
Sylvie says
January 28, 2019 at 10:32 pmEggplant is one of my favourite veggie to cook with so this recipe is right up my alley! And it sounds SOOO delicious with miso! Yum 🙂
valentina says
January 30, 2019 at 4:17 pmThanks Sylvie. Hope you try it. 🙂
Tisha says
January 29, 2019 at 12:09 amI can honestly say, I have Never had eggplant. This recipe makes me want to try it immediately. Looks so good.
valentina says
January 30, 2019 at 4:18 pmOh my gosh, you must try it! I’m thinking you’ll be happy you did. 🙂 Thanks for checking it out.
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog says
January 29, 2019 at 3:20 amEggplant is so versatile and so easy to cook. I love spicy Japanese eggplants, too 🙂
valentina says
January 30, 2019 at 4:18 pmI agree, it’s an extremely versatile ingredient. Enjoy!
Neli Howard says
January 29, 2019 at 3:22 amThank you Valentina! It is very VERY easy to make and goes soooo well with rice. Super tasty 🙂
valentina says
January 30, 2019 at 4:19 pmThank you, Neli!
Jacque Hastert says
January 29, 2019 at 4:32 amI recently found my love for eggplant. I have never had it before a few weeks ago. Since then I have been trying to find delicious recipes that incorporate eggplant. I have found one and it has become a favorite. Thank you!
valentina says
January 30, 2019 at 4:20 pmThanks, Jacque. I’m happy to hear you’ve discovered a love for eggplant. I think you’ll love this recipe 🙂