Eggplant and Green Bean Braised Noodles is a delicious and nutritionally rich traditional Chinese dish. It features noodles, eggplant, and green beans as the main ingredients, undergoing a unique cooking process that allows the noodles to fully absorb the flavors of the eggplant and green beans. The result is a dish with a delightful combination of textures, colors, aromas, and flavors. Each bite offers the chewiness of the noodles, the smoothness of the eggplant, and the fragrance of the green beans, leaving a lasting impression.Eggplant and Green Bean Braised Noodles not only satisfy the taste buds but also provide ample nutritional value. It contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fiber, as well as various vitamins and minerals, offering sufficient energy and nutrition for the body. Additionally, this dish has cooling and detoxifying properties, as well as diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects, providing some health benefits. In summary, it is a traditional Chinese dish worth trying, as it combines delicious flavors, a rich history, and significant nutritional value. If you enjoy the combination of noodles and vegetables, don’t miss out on this culinary delight.
Ingredients for Eggplant and Green Bean Braised Noodles：
| Eggplant | 100g |
| Noodles | 300g |
| Streaky pork | 80g |
| Green beans | 100g |
| Tomato | 80g |
| Chopped green onion | 10g |
| Chopped ginger | 5g |
| Oyster sauce | 5g |
| Light soy sauce | 6g |
| Salt | 6g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Red pepper | 3g |
| Bean paste | 5g |
| Thirteen-spices | 3g |
Step:
1.First, prepare an eggplant. Cut the eggplant into strips and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle a little salt and mix well to ensure that each strip is evenly seasoned. Let the eggplant marinate for 5-10 minutes to release some of its moisture. During this process, use some force to squeeze out the excess water from the eggplant. This step is important to prevent the eggplant from turning black or mushy during cooking. By marinating and squeezing out the water, the texture of the eggplant becomes firmer, preventing it from discoloring or becoming too soft during stewing. This helps maintain the shape and texture of the eggplant, resulting in a more visually appealing and delicious dish. Remember to rinse the eggplant with clean water after marinating to remove any excess salt.
2.Next, we need to prepare streaky pork,green beans, and tomatoes. Cut the streaky pork into thin strips for easy cooking and seasoning absorption. Similarly, cut the green beans into small sections for even heating when stir-frying. The tomatoes should be diced into small pieces to add vibrant colors and flavors to the dish. When cutting the ingredients, pay attention to the sharpness of your knife and try to maintain uniform and neat cuts. This ensures that the dish cooks evenly and absorbs flavors consistently, while also improving its visual appeal. After cutting, you can place each ingredient separately in containers for later cooking steps. Ensuring fresh ingredients and proper preparation allows for a smoother and more efficient cooking process.
3.Heat the pan and add some oil. Spread a thin layer of oil evenly on the bottom of the hot pan. Add the sliced shredded meat and stir-fry until it changes color and is fully cooked. This will make the shredded meat more crispy and flavorful. Then, add a little bean paste and stir-fry it together with the oil in the pan to create a red oil base. Bean paste adds a rich spicy flavor and aroma to the dish, giving it a unique taste. Next, add chopped chopped green onion and chopped ginger, and quickly stir-fry them in the pan to release their fragrance. This enhances the flavors of the dish and adds depth to the overall taste. Then, add a little oyster sauce and light soy sauce to season and enhance the umami flavor of the dish. You can also sprinkle some thirteen-spice powder for added complexity of aromatic spices. Continue to stir-fry until all the seasonings are well incorporated into the ingredients.
4.After stirring everything well, add the previously prepared eggplant, green beans, and tomatoes to the pan. It’s important to be patient and continue stir-frying until the green beans turn bright green. This helps maintain their vibrant color without becoming yellow. Next, add enough water to cover all the ingredients. Sprinkle some salt for seasoning and a little sugar for added flavor. Then, increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and let it simmer for about ten minutes. Through the process of boiling and simmering, the ingredients will absorb the flavors from the water and seasonings. The eggplant, green beans, and tomatoes will become soft and blend with the flavorful broth. This makes the whole dish more rich in texture and aromatic. After cooking, taste the dish and adjust the seasoning according to personal preference. If needed, you can add more salt or sugar for additional seasoning.
5.After simmering for ten minutes, open the lid and carefully place the noodles evenly into the broth. Use a spoon to gently mix and separate the noodles so that they can fully soak up the broth for better flavor absorption. Then, use the spoon to scoop some of the broth from around the noodles and pour it over the noodles. Repeat this process a few times to ensure the noodles absorb the broth well. Next, cover the pan with the lid again and continue simmering over low heat for about eight minutes. During this time, observe the amount of broth in the pan. There should be slightly more broth as these noodles are known for their excellent ability to absorb liquids. Make sure the noodles have enough broth to fully absorb, making them plump and elastic. Once the simmering is done, open the lid and check the doneness and texture of the noodles. If the noodles have become soft and well-seasoned, you can turn off the heat.
6.After eight minutes of simmering, open the lid and garnish the noodles with some chopped scallions and minced garlic. This adds fragrance and flavor to the noodle soup, making it even more enticing. Additionally, sprinkle some diced red peppers on top for both color and a subtle spicy kick. Now, this delicious braised noodle dish is ready. Prepare your bowls and utensils, serve it carefully as it might be hot, and enjoy it directly!
Tips:
1.It’s best to choose tender green beans for this dish as they cook more easily and have a better texture.
2.When simmering the noodles, it’s advisable to use medium-low heat to avoid the noodles sticking to the pan.
3.If you enjoy spicy flavors, you can add some chili peppers while stir-frying the green beans.
Eggplant and green beans braised noodles is a traditional dish full of hometown flavors. Although the cooking process is simple, it requires precision in terms of heat control and timing. During cooking, the long beans and eggplant are slowly braised, releasing an irresistible aroma. As time goes by, the long beans become soft and creamy, while the eggplant becomes tender. When this dish is served, a rich fragrance fills the air, instantly increasing one’s appetite. Every bite offers the deliciousness of the long beans and eggplant, along with the chewy texture of the noodles. This dish not only leaves a lasting impression but also evokes a sense of home and warmth.