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Chinese eggplant, specifically Yu Xiang Jie Z is the very pinnacle of eggplant dishes

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“vegetables, shingled in a gratin dish” --a verb as divine as eggplant! Respect.

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Hi Susan and Thanks for this!! The eggplant doesn’t get enough good words written about it. I don’t know a more versatile vegetable. We eat a lot of eggplant. I’ve started wet brining it a bit and it adds a depth and texture that’s quite amazing for my dry-fried eggplant and also the yuxiang eggplant and even the smoked eggplant I turn into marinated banchan seemed to benefit from a quick brine before putting it in the smoker. Now I’m hungry.

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Great ideas, Russell, thank you!

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I do a soup like this with the addition of Penzey’s Pie Spice and goat from a farm down the street. For whatever reason, the Chinese eggplant didn’t take this year, but the Italian is going nuts. I HAVE to learn to can it. Safely.

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Alexandra Stafford of Alexandra’s Kitchen has a great roasted ratatouille recipe on her website. I make it continuously when eggplant, zucchini and such are in season!

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Thanks Ginger! I have one in my new book too!

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I have all of your books. I haven’t had the chance to read your new one fully yet (only dabbled with a few recipes so far), so I missed that one. I’ll check it out. Thank you.

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Loved your interview on TASTE! Fascinating to hear about those early years with Martha.

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Thank you Amy!

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