Holy moly this dish is DELICIOUS and so comforting and beyond flavorful. I am typically not the biggest eggplant fan, but this dish is my favorite way to eat this vegetable. This is a great dish to make on it’s own served with rice/quinoa and or a great side dish to serve with salmon or any other protein.
Ingredients:
1 whole large eggplant
1 tablespoon sesame oil (for cooking the eggplant)
Miso Paste:
1.5 tablespoons of miso paste (I typically use white or brown)
1.5 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
2 green onions stalks finely chopped (optional)
Sesame seeds (optional)
Directions:
In a small bowl, combine all of the miso paste ingredients and stir evenly. Chop the green onion and mix the white and light green part of the stems into the paste. Notice the smells and textures. Let this paste sit and “marinate” to the side while you prep the eggplant.
Wash the eggplant and feel the texture of the skin. Notice your relationship to this vegetable (pleasant, unpleasant, neutral).
Slice the eggplant down the middle vertically. Score each half of the eggplant by using a sharp knife and slicing vertical lines in one direction and then the other direction so that you are creating diamond shaped sizes. Notice the texture of the eggplant under the knife. Notice your thoughts. Are they judging the way you are cutting? Are they present and curious? Are they concerned with doing this “right”? The purpose of these cuts is to help cook the eggplant evenly and absorb the sauce later on.
Place the over on 400F and allow it to heat up.
While the oven heats, in a large cast iron or non stick frying pan, place on medium to high heat. Once hot, add the 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Place the eggplants face down and sear for 2 minutes until lightly browned. Notice the sounds and smells that arise. How does your body respond?
Flip the eggplant so the skin faces down now and turn the heat to medium. Place a lid on tip for 3-5 minutes so that the eggplant lightly steams. You want the eggplant to feel tender.
On a baking sheet, place parchment paper down and place the two eggplant halves facing up (scored side up). Gently brush the miso paste all over the eggplant—letting it soak into the cuts you created. Notice the smells and colors as they unfold. Place this in the oven for 15 minutes. Notice the smells from the oven filling your home.
After 15 minutes, put your oven on broil for 5 minutes, watching closely so that the eggplant doesn’t burn. You will see the miso paste caramelize and get a little bubbly.
Remove from the oven and top with the remaining darker green onion slices. If you’d like, sprinkle with sesame seeds for more texture. Serve warm and mindfully enjoy each bite as it melts in your mouth.