Mabo Nasu (Eggplant Stir-Fry)
https://cookingwithdog.com/recipe/mabo-nasu/
Servings
2people
Cook Time
30minutes
Servings
2people
Cook Time
30minutes
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
  • 80 g Ground Pork
  • 1/2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
  • 200 g Eggplants
  • 1 Green Bell Pepper (Piman)large-size
  • 1/2 Long Green Onion (Naganegi)
Seasonings
  • 1 tbsp Garlic Cloveschopped
  • 2 tbsp Ginger Rootchopped
  • 1 tsp Doubanjiangchili bean paste
  • 1/2 tbsp Tian Mian Jiangsweet bean sauce
Broth
  • 150 ml Chicken Stock1/2 tsp chicken stock powder, dissolved
  • 1/2 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp Sake
  • 1/2 tbsp Sugar
  • Pepper
Diluted Potato Starch
Other Ingredients
* 1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 15 ml, 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 ml
Instructions
  1. Let’s combine the broth. Add the sugar to the chicken stock and dissolve. Add the soy sauce, sake and pepper.
    		 Let’s combine the broth. Add the sugar to the chicken stock and dissolve. Add the soy sauce, sake and pepper.
  2. Trim off the stem end of the eggplant. Cut the eggplant into bite-size wedges by turning it after each cut as Chef is doing here.
    		 Trim off the stem end of the eggplant. Cut the eggplant into bite-size wedges by turning it after each cut as Chef is doing here.
  3. Cut the bell pepper into relatively small bite-size pieces.
    		 Cut the bell pepper into relatively small bite-size pieces.
  4. Heat the frying oil to 180°C (360°F) in a pot. Place the eggplant into the oil with the skin side facing down. This will help to give the skin an appetizing purple color, making it visually appealing.
    		 Heat the frying oil to 180°C (360°F) in a pot. Place the eggplant into the oil with the skin side facing down. This will help to give the skin an appetizing purple color, making it visually appealing.
  5. Gently press the eggplant with kitchen chopsticks to check if it is ready. When it softens, drain the oil and place the eggplant onto a paper towel.
    		 Gently press the eggplant with kitchen chopsticks to check if it is ready. When it softens, drain the oil and place the eggplant onto a paper towel.
  6. Reduce the heat to low and place the bell pepper into the oil. Deep-fry it for about 10 seconds.
    		 Reduce the heat to low and place the bell pepper into the oil. Deep-fry it for about 10 seconds.
  7. When the bell pepper is a vibrant green color, remove and drain the excess oil. Be sure to remove the excess oil using extra paper towels.
    		 When the bell pepper is a vibrant green color, remove and drain the excess oil. Be sure to remove the excess oil using extra paper towels.
  8. Let’s make the Mabo Nasu. Heat the vegetable oil in a pot. Then, add the ground pork and saute on medium heat. Separate it into small pieces.
    		 Let’s make the Mabo Nasu. Heat the vegetable oil in a pot. Then, add the ground pork and saute on medium heat. Separate it into small pieces.
  9. When the redness in the meat has almost disappeared, add the chopped garlic and ginger root and continue sauteing.
    		 When the redness in the meat has almost disappeared, add the chopped garlic and ginger root and continue sauteing.
  10. When the aroma grows stronger, reduce the heat to low. Then, add the Doubanjiang, chili bean paste and Tian Mian Jiang, sweet bean sauce.
    		 When the aroma grows stronger, reduce the heat to low. Then, add the Doubanjiang, chili bean paste and Tian Mian Jiang, sweet bean sauce.
  11. Stir-fry the meat and distribute the seasoning evenly. Be sure not to burn it.
    		 Stir-fry the meat and distribute the seasoning evenly. Be sure not to burn it.
  12. Stir the broth and pour it into the pot. Lightly stir.
    		 Stir the broth and pour it into the pot. Lightly stir.
  13. Then, add the long green onion sliced diagonally. Add the eggplant and bell pepper also.
    		 Then, add the long green onion sliced diagonally. Add the eggplant and bell pepper also.
  14. Bring it to a boil and then cook for 1 more minute to let the ingredients absorb the savory flavor of the meat. Reduce the heat to low.
    		 Bring it to a boil and then cook for 1 more minute to let the ingredients absorb the savory flavor of the meat. Reduce the heat to low.
  15. Stir the potato starch and water thoroughly. Then, gradually add the diluted starch.
    		 Stir the potato starch and water thoroughly. Then, gradually add the diluted starch.
  16. When the sauce reaches the desired consistency as shown, turn the heat to high. Bring it to a rolling boil again and turn off the heat.
    		 When the sauce reaches the desired consistency as shown, turn the heat to high. Bring it to a rolling boil again and turn off the heat.
  17. Remove and ladle the mabo nasu into a bowl. Finally, sprinkle on the sansho pepper and drizzle on the chili oil to taste.
    		 Remove and ladle the mabo nasu into a bowl. Finally, sprinkle on the sansho pepper and drizzle on the chili oil to taste.
Recipe Notes

We recommend deep-frying the eggplant instead of sauteing since it will make the inside extremely tender and also soften the skin while retaining its appetizing color.
You can also try beef, chicken or mutton instead of the pork in this recipe.
Using sliced meat instead of the ground meat is also another great substitute.