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Asian Ingredients, by Bruce Cost

A Guide to the Foodstuffs of China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam

First published in 1988, Bruce Cost's Asian Ingredients was immediately hailed as one of the most comprehensive and fascinating books on Asian foodstuffs ever written. Now fully revised and updated, Asian Ingredients offers a wealth of information on identifying and using the often unfamiliar ingredients in traditional bottled condiments. This book's clear black-and-white photographs make it easy to identify ingredients in your local supermarkets or Asian grocery, while Cost's carefully researched notes explain how to select, store, and cook with these wonderful foods. Cost also includes more than 130 simple recipes for sumptuous Asian specialties. Cooks can create the dramatic flavors of China, Japan, and southeast Asia in their own kitchens with this indispensable resource. 

Chapter excerpt:

Eggplant Sauteed with Crushed Red Chili and Black Vinegar

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

A simple dish, good hot or at room temperature, this makes good use of the smoky Chinese black vinegar. 

Ingredients

1 1/4 pounds Asian eggplant
3 tablespoons Gold Plum "Chinkiang" vinegar other Chinese black vinegar

2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup peanut oil
1 teaspoon crushed dried red chili pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped scallions, green part included

Instructions

Cut the eggplants in half and then into wedges no more than 1/2 inch wide. Cut the wedges into strips measuring 2 inches by 1/2 inch. Blend the vinegar, sugar, and salt, and set aside.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. When it is hot, add the eggplant and cook, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes or until lightly browned and thoroughly wilted. Add the dried chili pepper and stir briefly. Add the vinegar mixture and cook another minute or two, until the liquid is thoroughly absorbed. Stir in the scallions and turn off the heat. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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From Asian Ingredients (ISBN: 006093204Xby Bruce Cost. HarperCollins Publishers

Copyright 2002 EclecticCooking.com