In Chinese cuisine, we love cooking with eggplant! You can stir fry it to make Eggplant with Garlic Sauce and Sichuan Yu Xiang Eggplant. And you can fry it into Stuffed Eggplant Pockets. Or you can roast it in the air fryer or on the grill. And one of our favorite cooking techniques is to steam eggplant. Like I stated in my Steamed Eggplant with Nutty Sauce post, steamed eggplant is a great way to enjoy eggplant in the summer. You don’t need to turn on the oven or stand in front of the hot stove for stir frying. Simply steam the eggplant and mix it with a super rich sauce, and you will have a nutritious and satisfying appetizer ready in no time.
Spicy eggplant salad ingredients
This spicy eggplant is one of my favorite dishes to order in a Sichuan restaurant. The tender eggplant is smothered in a sauce that is made with chili oil, soy sauce, vinegar and aromatics.
What eggplant to use
The best eggplant to use in spicy eggplant salad is Chinese or Japanese eggplant. These are the long skinny eggplants you usually see in Asian markets, and sometimes at summer vegetable markets. Compared to the large American eggplant, Chinese eggplant has less moisture. It will retain a chewier texture once cooked, without turning very soggy. If you cannot find Chinese eggplant, you can use other types of eggplant as well. But do keep an eye on it during the cooking and adjust the steaming time accordingly, so the eggplant will come out with your preferred texture.
Sauce
Along with the chili oil, soy sauce, a small amount of vinegar, sugar, and aromatics are used to create a rich flavor.
How to make spicy eggplant salad
It is super easy to make spicy eggplant salad. First you will need to steam the eggplant. The steaming time is largely dependent on the type of eggplant you use, the size of the cuts, and the doneness you’re looking for. You should always monitor the cooking process and judge the doneness by tasting the eggplant. To give a general time frame, I usually cook it for 10 minutes for a firm texture. The eggplant skin will still have some purple color and the fruit will hold its shape. If you like very tender eggplant, steam it for 15 minutes. The eggplant skin will turn brown but the texture will be tender and pleasant.
How to serve spicy eggplant salad
Spicy eggplant salad is usually served as a cold appetizer along with other main dishes and rice to create a full meal. However, if you are looking for a super quick and light meal, you can serve the spicy eggplant over boiled thin noodles to make an eggplant noodle bowl.
Other delicious salad recipes
Chinese Spinach Salad with Peanuts (老醋菠菜花生) Chinese Okra Salad, Two Ways (凉拌秋葵) Easy Tofu and Celery Salad Da La Pi (大拉皮, Northern Chinese Potato Noodles in Sesame Sauce) Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜)
