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5.0 from 75 votes

Steamed Chinese Eggplant with Spicy Lao Gan Ma

This steamed Chinese eggplant with spicy Lao Gan Ma chili sauce remains vibrantly purple after cooking and can be served hot or as a cold appetizer.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 126 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Appetizer
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Japanese or Chinese eggplant (450g, about 3 eggplants)
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese black vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoon oyster sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1-1 1/2 tablespoons Lao Gan Ma chili sauce (or any chili sauce or chili oil of your choice)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 scallion (minced)
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Prepare your steamer. If you’re not sure how to set up a steaming apparatus, check our our post on how to set up a steamer, even without special equipment. Turn the heat on low to pre-heat the water in the steamer.
  2. Cut each eggplant crosswise into 3 equal sections, then cut each section into 8-10 bite-sized strips. 
  3. Fill a large container with about 2 quarts of water and 1/4 cup white vinegar. Soak the eggplant in the vinegar water for 3 minutes. Then remove the eggplant and squeeze as much liquid out as possible. Arrange them on a heat-proof rimmed dish and carefully lower it into the steamer. Cover and turn the heat on high. Steam the eggplant for 8-10 minutes.
  4. Now make the sauce by combining the Chinese black vinegar, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, sesame oil, and chili sauce.
  5. Remove the eggplant from the steamer (no need to pour out the liquid in the dish), and evenly pour the sauce over the eggplant. Top it with the minced garlic and scallions. Try to keep garlic and scallions close together in a couple tight lines to make the next step easier.
  6. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a small saucepan until it starts to smoke lightly, and then carefully pour it over the garlic and scallion. Serve hot or cold. If serving as a cold appetizer, you can make this dish in advance.

Nutrition Information

Calories 126kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 6g (2%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Sodium 392mg (16%) Potassium 194mg (6%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 37IU (1%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 10mg (1%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 126

% Daily Value*

Calories 126kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Sodium 392mg 16%
Potassium 194mg 4%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 37IU 1%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.