About the Recipe
Don't like eggplant? It sounds like you haven't had it prepared correctly. Eggplant needs time. Be patient. If the eggplant is firm and spongy, it's undercooked. But if you cook it more, it will start to unlock its tender, luxurious and creamy secrets. And if anything Cà Tím Hấp Mỡ Hành ( or Vietnamese Steamed Eggplant) is my family recipe that does just that. And the best part I'll show you how to nail it every time.
Farmer Wisher Young’s Eggplant
But that’s just half of it. Equally important to the cooking technique are great ingredients to make a great meal. In search of the best eggplant, I journeyed to the Central Valley in California (also known as America's Farm belt) to connect with Wisher Young, a refugee Hmong farmer. Due to the Hmong’s involvement and alliance with the American CIA, many Hmong, including Wisher’s family were forced to flee their homes to avoid persecution, deemed as traitors by the Communist Regime led by Pathet Lao. After fleeing Laos, Wisher would spend some time in refugee camps in Thailand prior to his resettlement in America. Due to language barriers and the lack of professional skills upon his arrival in the United States, his opportunities were limited.
However, through the support of The ASIAN BUSINESS INSTITUTE & RESOURCE CENTER (Or ABIRC) in Fresno, Wisher was able to sustain a living for himself by farming specialty Asian crops such as Chinese eggplant. And it’s my conviction that he has the best eggplant in California.
Eggplant Facts
Eggplant has antioxidants like vitamins A and C, which help protect your cells against damage. Additionally, it's incredibly high in ‘polyphenols,’ which may help cells do a better job of processing sugar if you have diabetes.
Chinese Eggplant Fact
They are the least bitter compared to other varieties. Along with thinner skin and a long, narrow shape. For the sweetest and creamiest eggplant, pick the firmest eggplant with no blemishes.
This episode was in partnership with the ASIAN BUSINESS INSTITUTE & RESOURCE CENTER. Their efforts support socially disadvantaged Southeast Asian Farmers in California’s Central Valley.
Cà Tím Hấp Mỡ Hành (Vietnamese Steamed Eggplant) Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Quarter the eggplant lengthwise.
- Use a fork (or skewer) to puncture holes in the quarter eggplant. This helps to break down and speed up the eggplant cooking process.
- Place the eggplant in a steamer basket.
- Set the basket in a pot filled with a few inches of water, below the eggplant.
- Heat the pot to a boil.
- Then cover the pot to steam for 20 minutes.
- Take the pot off heat.
- Set aside.
- Add cooking oil to a saucepan. And heat the pan to 350℉ for 30 seconds
- Add sliced scallions to the saucepan.
- Use a spoon to thoroughly incorporate the scallions with the heated oil.
- Take the saucepan off the heat.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl add the minced shallot and garlic.
- Then add the fermented chili, lemon juice.
- Allow the mixture to macerate for 5 minutes.
- Then season the mixture with son fish sauce and organic sugar.
- Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are incorporated.
- Gradually add coconut water to the mixture while simultaneously mixing.
- In a medium-sized serving bowl, add ½ cup of steamed jasmine rice.
- Add the Cà Tím Hấp on top of the steamed rice.
- Garnish the eggplant with 2-3 heaping tablespoons of mỡ hành.
- And last, garnish the bowl with nước chấm, fried garlic and fried shallot.
- Serve and eat immediately.
