Nasu Dengaku 🍆 Japanese Vegan 🇯🇵

Description

Silky, roasted Japanese eggplant glazed with a glossy sweet-savory miso sauce, broiled until caramelized and sprinkled with sesame and spring onion. Minimal effort, huge umami. ✨

Hook
Melt-in-the-mouth eggplant with lacquered miso shine! 😍

Ingredients

• 🍆 2 medium eggplants (about 500 g total), halved lengthwise
• 🧂 ½ tsp salt (for drawing out moisture)
• 🍶 2 tbsp white miso (shiro miso)
• 🍯 1½ tbsp sugar (or mirin)
• 🍶 1 tbsp mirin
• 🍶 1 tbsp sake (or water)
• 💧 1 tbsp water (to thin, as needed)
• 🛢️ 1 tbsp neutral oil (for brushing)
• 🌿 1 spring onion, finely sliced
• 🌾 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

Preparation

1. 1️⃣ Prep eggplant: Score the cut sides in a crosshatch (not through the skin). Sprinkle with ½ tsp salt; rest 10 min, then pat dry.
2. 2️⃣ Roast: Brush cut sides lightly with oil. Place cut-side down on a parchment tray and roast at 200°C for 15–18 min, until tender.
3. 3️⃣ Miso glaze: In a small pan, whisk miso, sugar, mirin, sake, and a splash of water. Warm over low heat 2–3 min until smooth and glossy (add water to a spreadable thickness).
4. 4️⃣ Glaze & broil: Flip eggplants cut-side up, spread glaze generously. Return under a hot broiler/grill for 2–3 min until bubbling and lightly caramelized.
5. 5️⃣ Finish: Sprinkle with sesame and spring onion. Serve hot or warm.

Total Time

🕒 Preparation: 10 min
🔥 Cooking: 20 min
💤 Rest: 0 min
⏰ Total: 30 min

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