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Freshly Picked

Braised Eggplant in Black Tea Masterstock Recipe

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Braised Eggplant with dark stock in a plate
Braised Eggplant with dark stock in a plate

Fun fact: a cup of tea is not the only way to enjoy the unique flavours of black tea — it also makes a great backdrop for a braising liquid! Tasting is believing … ;)

You will need

Serves 2

  • 2 eggplants
  • 1 cucumber
  • 3 spring onions
  • 2 long red chillies
  • 2 serves white rice

Tea masterstock:

  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup light soy sauce
  • 3/4 cup shaoshing wine
  • 50g brown sugar
  • 1 orange, zest and juice
  • 1 stick cinnamon
  • 2 star anise
  • 3 big slices of ginger
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 tablespoons black tea

For the salt:

  • 1 orange, zest only
  • 2 tablespoons sea salt

To finish:

  • Spoon of crispy chilli oil

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Directions

15 mins to prep

25 mins to cook

  1. Step 1

    In a pot add the water, soy, wine, brown sugar, 2 strips of orange zest and juice, cinnamon, star anise, ginger, garlic, and tea. Bring to a boil then turn down low.

  2. Step 2

    Peel 3 strips of the eggplant skin and leave on the stem and with a knife poke through to the middle of the eggplant 10 times, then place in the pan with the ingredients, lay a small plate or something weighted on top so the eggplant is fully submerged. Cook for 20 minutes until soft.

  3. Step 3

    In the meantime, slice the cucumber thinly, along with the spring onion and red chilli. Set aside.

  4. Step 4

    Once the eggplant is cooked through. Take out and set aside to cool.

  5. Step 5

    With a heavy-based pan on medium heat, and a splash of oil and lay the eggplant skin side down. Cook for 3 minutes then turn and cook for another 3 minutes. For the last 3 minutes, add 2 ladles of the cooking liquid and reduce down to a thickened sauce.

  6. Step 6

    To make the orange salt, grate the zest of the remaining orange zest onto the salt and mix with your fingers (this will last weeks and can be used in so many different ways).

  7. Step 7

    Set the eggplant aside to rest and season with the orange salt. Cut the eggplant in half and place on the plate along with a spoon of rice, the cucumber, spring onion and chilli.

  8. Step 8

    Serve.

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Recipe: Simon Toohey

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