Thai Eggplant Stir-Fry, known as "Pad Ma Khua Prow" in Thai, is a delicious and spicy dish made with Thai eggplants, chili, garlic, and basil. A step-by-step guide on how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 10-12 small Thai eggplants (also known as pea eggplants)
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2-3 Thai bird's eye chili peppers, minced (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (for a non-vegetarian version)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- A handful of Thai basil leaves
- Vegetable oil for stir-frying
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Thai Eggplants:
- Wash and cut the Thai eggplants into quarters. If they are large, you can cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
2. Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine the oyster sauce (if using), soy sauce, and sugar. Mix well and set the sauce aside.
3. Heat the Pan:
- Heat a wok or a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil.
4. Stir-Fry the Protein (Optional):
- If you're using ground meat or tofu, add it to the hot pan. Stir-fry until it's cooked through and browned.
5. Add Garlic and Chili:
- Add the minced garlic and Thai chili peppers to the pan. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds or until they become fragrant. Be cautious as the chili peppers can be very spicy.
6. Add Thai Eggplants:
- Add the cut Thai eggplants to the pan. Stir-fry for a few minutes until they start to soften and turn slightly translucent.
7. Pour in the Sauce:
- Pour the sauce you prepared earlier over the eggplants and stir-fry to coat them evenly. The sauce will start to thicken and glaze the eggplants.
8. Add Thai Basil:
- Tear the Thai basil leaves and add them to the pan. Stir-fry for a minute or two until the basil wilts and releases its aromatic flavor.
9. Taste and Adjust:
- Taste the stir-fry and adjust the seasoning by adding salt or more soy sauce if needed.
10. Serve:
- Once the Thai eggplants are tender, and the sauce has coated them nicely, remove the pan from the heat.
- Serve the Thai Eggplant Stir-Fry hot, accompanied by steamed jasmine rice. You can also garnish it with additional fresh Thai basil leaves if you like.
Enjoy the spicy and aromatic flavors of this classic Thai dish!