This classic Japanese dish, nasu dengaku (miso-glazed eggplant), is inspired by Joan Itoh Burk’s Rice Paddy Gourmet. Serve this dish as an appetizer or as a side to a meal of stir-fried rice and veggies.
NASU DENGAKU
Servings: 6
Ingredients
Eggplant
- 6 small Japanese eggplants
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 slices of bacon chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chives sliced thin for garnish
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds for garnish
Sauce
- 2/3 cup white miso
- 1/3 cup sake
- 1/3 cup mirin
- 1/3 cup sugar
Instructions
- For the sauce, combine miso and sugar in a medium-size, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Whisk in sake and mirin. Over low heat, bring to a simmer and cook, frequently stirring, until sugar dissolves, color darkens, and it has the consistency of a thick sauce—approximately 45 minutes. Sauce can be made up to a day in advance and should be refrigerated. When ready to use, reheat in a pan on low heat for 2–3 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Cook bacon in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cut eggplants in half lengthwise. Use the tip of a paring knife to score cut sides in a crosshatch pattern. Brush scored sides with olive oil, then spread 1 teaspoon of miso mixture over each half. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast eggplant for about 20 minutes, until tender and browned.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds, chives, and bacon, and serve.
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