This Spicy Miso Eggplant recipe bursts with delicious Asian flavors. Even if you’re a person who doesn’t like eggplant, this will turn you!
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! So Spicy Miso Eggplant is actually a fresh fruit dish.
Whether it’s dark purple or burgundy, small and cute, long and thin, or big and round, it’s still an eggplant.
In this Spicy Miso Eggplant recipe I used small, round Indian eggplants. You can use any eggplants for this recipe. The Indian eggplants are typically sold in Asian or Indian markets.
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.
What’s Spicy Miso Eggplant?
- eggplant
- miso paste
- chili paste
- soy sauce
- mirin
- garlic
- ginger
- sugar
- sherry
- mint
- grapeseed oil
The Asian flavors in this recipe are so unbelievably scrumptious, especially when caramelized.
This recipe is truly an out-of-this-world eating experience. The bites of miso glazed eggplant are sweet and savory all at once. And they have a super thin “crust” from caramelizing, and are soft on the inside.
I hope you love this Spicy Miso Eggplant as much as I do!
More delicious eggplant recipes:
- Vegetarian Potato Eggplant Moussaka
- Eggplant Cakes with Lemon Sauce
- Melitzanosalata (Greek Eggplant Dip)
This Spicy Miso Eggplant recipe bursts with delicious Asian flavors. Even if you're a person who doesn't like eggplant, this will turn you!
- 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
- 1½ teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1½ teaspoons fresh ginger pulp
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1½ pounds eggplant, washed and dried (see notes)
- grapeseed oil for the pan
- ½ 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 ½-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 too much excess at the bottom of the bowl.) Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate 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.
Feel free to use any eggplant variety you like.
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Ericka Sanchez (@NibblesNFeasts) says
This is beautiful! My mouth just watered! 😮
valentina says
Thanks, Ericka! 😀
sippitysup says
The rich colors in these photos is so beautiful. No flowers needed. GREG
valentina says
Thanks so much, Greg! 🙂
averagebetty says
Beautiful photos — the color on those eggplant are as pretty as flowers 😉 And mmm mmm. Can I bring dessert? xo
valentina says
I love you people! Thank you! xo
Sylvia@Peaches and Donuts says
Am always on the lookout for new eggplant recipes and I love them!! This looks perfect!
valentina says
Thanks so much!
Nicole Presley says
I am GOING to have to make this for my momma!
valentina says
Yay! That makes me happy.
Tori @ The Shiksa in the Kitchen says
Pinned this one! Looks so delicious, and healthy too! The minute you mentioned Sambal Oelek I was hooked. 🙂
valentina says
Thanks, Tori! Sambal Oelek is a staple around here. 🙂
Sophie says
What a divine & truly beautiful eggplant aka aubergines dish!
I love it! Yummm,..;I can’t wait to make it! So special too!
Christy says
Soooo 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
Christy, so happy you loved this! I LOVE udon noodles! 🙂
Sylvie says
Eggplant 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
Thanks Sylvie. Hope you try it. 🙂
Tisha says
I can honestly say, I have Never had eggplant. This recipe makes me want to try it immediately. Looks so good.
valentina says
Oh 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
Eggplant is so versatile and so easy to cook. I love spicy Japanese eggplants, too 🙂
valentina says
I agree, it’s an extremely versatile ingredient. Enjoy!
Neli Howard says
Thank you Valentina! It is very VERY easy to make and goes soooo well with rice. Super tasty 🙂
valentina says
Thank you, Neli!
Jacque Hastert says
I 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
Thanks, Jacque. I’m happy to hear you’ve discovered a love for eggplant. I think you’ll love this recipe 🙂