Stir-Fried Eggplant

Method9 steps

1. 1

   Prep the Ingredients

   食材预处理

   Wash the eggplant, cut it vertically into two halves. Cut each half into diamond-shaped pieces and place in a bowl.

   将茄子洗净，竖切一刀分为两段。每段切成菱形块，放入碗中待命。

   ⏱5 min

   • 💡 Diamond-shaped pieces increase the surface area for better flavour absorption菱形块增大受热面积，更易入味
   
2. 2

   Prep the Aromatics

   准备辅料

   Wash the scallion and chop into scallion pieces; prepare the star anise.

   将香葱洗净切成葱花；八角切好备用。

   ⏱2 min

   • 💡 Prep aromatics in advance to avoid scrambling during cooking辅料提前备好，避免炒菜时手忙脚乱
   
3. 3

   Pre-Stir-Fry the Minced Pork

   预炒肉末

   If using minced pork, stir-fry in 10-15ml oil over medium heat until colour changes (about 1 minute), then set aside.

   如使用肉末，用10-15ml油中火炒至变色（约1分钟），盛出备用。

   ⏱1 min

   • 💡 For lean minced pork, add an extra 5ml oil to prevent sticking纯瘦肉末建议多加5ml油防止粘锅
   
4. 4

   Heat the Wok and Add Oil

   热锅倒油

   Heat the wok over high heat until dry, then add cooking oil. Use enough oil to cover the bottom of the wok twice over.

   开火热锅至无水，倒入食用油，油量需没过锅底的两倍。

   ⏱1 min

   • 💡 Use more oil rather than less, otherwise the eggplant will stick and taste dry and tough油可多不可少，否则茄子容易糊锅且口感干硬
   
5. 5

   Fry the Aromatics

   炸香辅料

   When the oil is 60% hot, add the star anise, dried shrimp, and scallion. If no optional ingredients are available, heat the oil to 90%.

   油温热至6成时，放入八角、虾皮、香葱。若无可选材料则热油至9成。

   ⏱40 sec

   • 💡 If your stove heats slowly, 70% hot is enough to proceed若家用灶温度上升不明显，7成热即可进行下一步
   
6. 6

   Add the Eggplant and Stir-Fry

   下茄子翻炒

   When the oil is 90% hot, add the eggplant and stir-fry over high heat for about 40 seconds.

   油温至9成热时，倒入茄子大火翻炒约40秒。

   ⏱40 sec

   • 💡 High heat and quick stir-frying throughout is key全程大火快炒是关键
   
7. 7

   Add the Soy Sauce

   加入酱油

   Pour the soy sauce into the spatula (about 2.5 spatulas per serving), then drizzle into the wok and stir-fry.

   将酱油倒入锅铲内（一人份约2.5锅铲），再淋入锅中翻炒。

   ⏱30 sec

   • 💡 Use less soy sauce rather than more to avoid excessive saltiness酱油宁少勿多，避免过咸
   
8. 8

   Combine with the Minced Pork

   合炒肉末

   When the eggplant is half-soft (about 1 minute later), add back the minced pork and stir quickly to combine.

   茄子炒至半软时（约1分钟后），放回肉末，快速搅拌均匀。

   ⏱1 min

   • 💡 At this point the eggplant begins to release moisture and absorb the oil此时茄子开始释放水分并吸收油脂
   
9. 9

   Season and Serve

   调味出锅

   Add sugar and vinegar, continue stir-frying until all the eggplant has changed colour and softened, then remove from the wok.

   加入糖和醋，继续翻炒至所有茄子变色变软后捞出。

   ⏱1 min

   • 💡 Add vinegar at the very end, stir-fry for 20 seconds, then serve to prevent the acidity from evaporating醋在最后加，翻炒20秒即出锅，防止酸味挥发