Sweet And Spicy Aubergines

Ingredients

• 6 medium aubergines
• 4 tablespoons cornflour
• 2 tablespoons oil + for deep frying
• 3 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 1½ tablespoons chopped ginger
• 4 spring onion bulbs, chopped
• 3 teaspoons dark soy sauce
• Salt to taste
• 3 teaspoons red chilli sauce
• 4-5 teaspoons brown sugar
• 3-4 fresh red chillies, diagonally sliced
• 4-5 tablespoons chopped spring onion greens + to sprinkle
• White pepper powder to taste
• 2 tablespoons corn flour slurry
• Toasted white sesame seeds to sprinkle

Method

1. Heat sufficient oil in a kadai.
2. Remove the stems of the aubergines, halve them vertically and then thinly slice them horizontally. Transfer the slices into a bowl, add cornflour and mix well.
3. Slide the aubergine slices into hot oil and deep-fry till golden brown and crisp. Drain on absorbent paper and set aside.
4. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a non-stick wok, add garlic, ginger and sauté for 30 seconds. Add spring onion bulbs and sauté for 30 seconds.
5. Add dark soy sauce, salt, red chilli sauce and mix well. Add brown sugar, ½ cup water and mix well.
6. Add fresh red chilles, spring onion greens and mix. Add white pepper powder, cornflour slurry and mix.
7. Add the fried aubergines and mix well. Add remaining spring onion greens and mix.
8. Transfer onto a serving plate, sprinkle white sesame seeds and serve hot.