Eggplant in Garlic Sauce

By Jessica Swartz March 25, 2023 32 mins read 81 Views

This is my version of a dish that we used to order regularly at Szechuan East, a Chinese restaurant that was once (and may still be for all I know) at the Galleria on Westheimer in Houston, TX. It was truly one of the very best Chinese dishes I’ve ever eaten in my life. I admit, up front, eggplant can be visually off-putting, but the flavor on this dish is just amazing! All at the same time it is sweet–sour–and spicy. One night while enjoying dinner in this particular restaurant, we saw Debra Paget (well-known 50’s actress who played Indian princesses in more than one film) enjoying a meal across the room, all alone at her table. My husband told me her last husband was a wealthy, business Asian, but reading his bio , he was well-known in his own right. Being children of this film era, we were quite excited to see someone who had been so famous at one time and my husband went quietly over to her table after her meal concluded and asked for her autograph. She seemed genuinely pleased she had been recognized and was delighted to do so. Sorry, I digress.

Though this dish is also off-putting texturally (pieces are quite slippery when properly cooked and sauced), the flavor is so delightful it continues to be a favorite in many Chinese restaurants. Both my husband and I can get past the look and texture to appreciate the subtle flavor nuances of this dish. It is typically eaten atop rice, but it’s not bad eaten alone or incorporated into a simple shrimp-stir-fry. It is outstanding with grilled Asian Marinated meat. If you like eggplant and are not bothered by its sometimes slippery texture, you will REALLY like this dish.

VARIATION: This is also good with RED bell pepper strips sauteed and added to the mix. Colorful, too.

INGREDIENTS:

1 1-lb. eggplant, peeled and cut into ¼” strips

4 T. olive oil

½ tsp. HOT sesame oil

½ pkt. Splenda or Stevia

1 T. rice wine vinegar (no substitions)

1½ T. low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos

3 small cloves garlic, minced

½ c. chicken broth

1/2-1 tsp. oriental chili paste like Sambal Oelek (or use crushed red pepper flakes)

1/8 tsp. xanthan gum to thicken

1 tsp. sesame seeds (optional and not included in numbers below)

DIRECTIONS: Peel eggplant and cut into ¼” strips. Heat olive and hot sesame oil in non-stick skillet or wok. Add eggplant strips and gently stir fry. Keep gently tossing them around on the hot pan surface and they WILL eventually get limp and soft. When they are all starting to look translucent, add all remaining ingredients and simmer 1-2 minutes. Add a tiny bit of your favorite thickening agent and stir well until slightly thickened. Serve at once.

NUTRITIONAL INFO: Makes 3 servings, each containing:

214.7 cals, 19.8g fat, 9.37g carbs, 4.77g fiber, 4.6g NET CARBS, 2.23g protein, 355 mg sodium

By: Peggy
Title: Eggplant in Garlic Sauce
Sourced From: buttoni.wordpress.com/2023/03/25/eggplant-in-garlic-sauce-3/
Published Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2023 15:37:03 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

Is keto right for you?

You must make the conscious choice to ask tough questions, do your research, and find out what "right" is for you. The keto diet, an age-old and popular choice for weight loss, has many health benefits.

Ask yourself: What are my health goals. What are my health goals? Do I want to lose weight or improve my mental clarity? Keto can be a good place to start, even though there is no universal method.

Keto focuses on reducing carbohydrate intake. The ideal amount is 20 grams per day. This will cause our bodies to go into a state of nutritional ketosis. We use fat for our energy instead of sugar. Although it may seem difficult at first to stick to this carb limit, you will soon learn how to do it.

If you can maintain a high nutritional quality and consume certain healthy fats (such as Omega 3 and other beneficial mono/polyunsaturated fatty acids found in avocados or salmon), you should experience beneficial metabolic effects when you follow a ketogenic lifestyle. This is true regardless of whether you're looking to improve your overall health or body composition.

Keto can be sustainable if balanced with optimal nutrient intake, so make sure any food choices adhere to real whole foods in their most natural form for maximum benefit - don't overestimate portion sizes either! If done correctly, keto could be very beneficial for your individual needs, so take the time to learn more about it through reliable sources before taking any big steps forwards (or backward).

Can I drink alcohol on a keto diet?

A sensible approach to the keto diet is to question what you can or cannot do while limiting carbohydrates. It is important to be mindful when you consume alcoholic drinks.

The short answer is that it all depends. There are many alcoholic beverages that are not keto-friendly. Some are better suited to this diet than others. The type, quantity, and grain content of alcohol can impact your daily carb intake.

Be careful and choose wisely. Also, keep in mind that an alcoholic drink may still have visible carbohydrates. Other factors such as the calorie count should be taken into consideration before making a choice.

Moderation is crucial when you are drinking alcohol on a diet low in carbs to maximize its benefits and avoid any potential drawbacks that could affect your fitness or weight loss goals.

Informed decisions lead to better decisions. Make sure you pay close attention before you decide to drink a low carb beverage.

What happens in the first week of keto?

Before you start to prepare for the ketogenic diet, it is important to do your research. Understanding what foods to avoid and how many carbs are allowed daily is essential. It's also important to learn which foods provide the best balance of macronutrients.

Once you have the basics down, it's time for you to begin creating meals to support your new lifestyle. Eating whole foods and not processed sugars will make it easier for your body to adjust faster. A few simple tweaks, such as adding more healthy fats and proteins in each meal, can significantly improve energy levels and focus while helping with cravings.

Next, you need to learn how to manage portion sizes and meal times while following the keto diet. This will allow your body enter a ketosis state where it burns fat for energy instead of sugar. This can either be accomplished by tracking macros or consulting a nutritionalist who may be able to offer one-on-1 advice.

The first week of the keto diet transition is a time when everyone needs to be patient. It is crucial to take enough rest and stay hydrated when embarking on this journey. Allow yourself three days to assess whether this is working for your body. Each person responds differently to different things so you can give it some time.

What is a ketogenic example meal?

The ketogenic diet makes it easy to eat. It's just regular healthy eating with an extra twist. It includes avoiding processed carbs and substituting high-quality proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

You'll reap the many health benefits of this diet, including improved energy levels, better cognitive performance, and improved digestion. All this while enjoying great tasting meals.

What is a good example of a ketogenic meal? It could be as simple as grilled salmon with fresh parmesan, paired with roasted potatoes drizzled with olive oils, and garnished with freshly-cut herbs. Or perhaps it's an omelet overflowing with bacon bits, flavorful bell peppers, and melted cheese, all cooked up in your favourite buttery spread.

You don't have to go the easy way when you are trying to make your next keto dish. Quality ingredients will make any meal a success. So go ahead - get in the kitchen and explore new flavours while savouring healthy recipes for life-changing results!

Is it the hardest week of keto?

Preparing for the first week of a keto diet is often daunting. This diet requires major lifestyle changes that push most people outside of their comfort zones. It can be daunting to realize that you have to say goodbye high-carb meals.

But don't fear! You can make this one of the most fulfilling weeks of your entire life with the right information. It's possible to survive on the ketogenic Diet, but also thrive with consistent effort and dedication.

You need to be patient as it takes some time to adjust to a new diet. You may feel groggy as you adjust to this lower-carb lifestyle - but don't give up! Consuming healthy fats as well as low-sugar foods will help replenish your energy and keep portions in check.

It is important to remember that this won't last forever. Once your body adjusts, your cravings for high sugar carbs will ease. Hunger will naturally subside and your metabolism will remain energized throughout your day.

It's possible to make the seemingly impossible task seem manageable by focusing on mental fortitude and taking concrete steps before you jump into ketosis.

Statistics

When following a ketogenic diet, carb content is between 5–10% of calories consumed, though looser versions of the diet exist (7Trusted Source (healthline.com)
But, a 1-ounce slice of cheese delivers about 30% of the Daily Value for saturated fat, so if you're worried about heart disease, consider portion size when eating cheese. (eatingwell.com)
It typically contains 70% fat, 20% protein, and only 10% carbs (9Trusted (healthline.com)
Proteins should account for around 10–30% of energy needs, while carbs are usually restricted to 5%. (healthline.com)
Carbohydrates are the body's preferred source of energy, but on a strict ketogenic diet, less than 5% of energy intake is from carbohydrates (learn more in our beginner's guide for the ketogenic diet). (eatingwell.com)

External Links

How To

Calculating your Macros for a Ketogenic Diet

It is crucial to find the right approach for keto living in order to maximize your success. It can be easy and difficult to calculate your macros when you are on a ketogenic diet.

Understanding macronutrition is crucial to understanding the meaning of Macros on a Keto Diet. This term refers specifically to three crucial nutrients - carbohydrates and proteins - which are essential for our bodies' proper functioning and growth. Our bodies gain from the functions of each nutrient by monitoring their intake.

Meal prepping with macros in mind requires planning and observation so that you can successfully chart your progress along the way. It's possible to ensure you're taking into account daily meals, snacks, as well special occasions, such as holidays, or food challenges while traveling so that you make the best decisions for you, your health, and your personal journey.

When factoring in all aspects of macro tracking, remember: patience is paramount! Flexibility is key to improving your macro tracking skills. It also allows you the freedom to learn about your body's specific needs and make adjustments as needed. By understanding macronutrition in a different light, you can really shine!

Resources: