For those from Nagoya Japan, red miso is an essential pantry staple you simply cannot live without! Today, I am sharing my favourite recipe for a side dish that goes perfectly with rice: Red Miso Eggplant Stir-fry.
The juicy, melt-in-the-mouth eggplant pairs beautifully with the sweet and savoury miso glaze. It is delicious served over hot rice, but it also makes a fantastic filling for Oyaki (Japanese stuffed buns)!
What are the Health Benefits of Miso?
Miso is often called a “superfood” because of its rich nutritional profile and fermented nature. Here are some of its key health benefits:
- Rich in Essential Nutrients: It is a great source of protein, vitamins (like Vitamin K and B12), and minerals such as manganese and zinc, which are vital for bone health and energy.(*1)
- Promotes Gut Health: As a fermented food, miso is rich in probiotics (beneficial bacteria). These help balance your gut microbiome, improving digestion and boosting your immune system. (*2, 3)
What is Red Miso?
Red miso is fermented for a longer period, giving it a deeper, more concentrated umami than white or yellow miso. It is the secret to that authentic Nagoya-style taste:)♡
Red Miso Eggplant Stir-fry Recipe
Ingredients (Serves 2)
Cooking time: 10 minutes
- 1 Large eggplant (approx. 270g)
- 1 Small onion (approx. 50g)
Miso Glaze
- 2 tbsp Red miso (If you do not have red miso, any miso you have on hand works—just adjust the flavour by adding a splash of soy sauce if needed!)
- 2 tbsp Mirin
- 2 tsp Sugar
- Shichimi (Seven-spice chilli) to taste
- 1 tsp White sesame seeds
Preparation Steps
1, Prepare the sauce
In a small bowl, combine the red miso, mirin, and sugar. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
2, Cut the vegetables
Chop the eggplant and onion into bite-sized pieces.
3, Sauté the vegetables
Heat some oil in a frying pan and sauté the vegetables until they are nicely browned and tender.
4, Glaze and finish
Once the vegetables are cooked through, pour in the prepared miso glaze. Stir-fry quickly over the heat to coat everything evenly, being careful not to let the glaze burn. You can add the shichimi and sesame seeds at this stage if you like.
5, Serve and Enjoy!
Transfer to a plate and enjoy! The combination of the succulent eggplant and the rich, sweet-salty sauce is irresistible with a bowl of rice.
If you have leftovers, let them cool completely. You can wrap the mixture in a simple flour dough and pan-fry or steam it to make Oyaki—a traditional snack from Nagano prefecture. It makes for a wonderful, savoury vegetable treat!
References
*1 日本食品標準成分表（八訂）増補2023年｜調味料及び香辛料類/＜調味料類＞/（みそ類）/米みそ/淡色辛みそ
*3 日本調理科学会誌 Vol. 46，No. 2，129～133（2013）〔講座〕 乳酸菌の生理機能とその要因 |上西 寛司 瀬戸 泰幸
Red Miso Eggplant Stir-fry
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the sauce In a small bowl, combine the red miso, mirin, and sugar. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
- Cut the vegetables Chop the eggplant and onion into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté the vegetables Heat some oil in a frying pan and sauté the vegetables until they are nicely browned and tender.
- Glaze and finish Once the vegetables are cooked through, pour in the prepared miso glaze. Stir-fry quickly over the heat to coat everything evenly, being careful not to let the miso burn. You can add the shichimi and sesame seeds at this stage if you like.
- Serve Transfer to a plate and enjoy! The combination of the succulent eggplant and the rich, sweet-salty sauce is irresistible with a bowl of rice.
- If you have leftovers, let them cool completely. You can wrap the mixture in a simple flour dough and pan-fry or steam it to make Oyaki—a traditional snack from Nagano prefecture. It makes for a wonderful, savoury vegetable treat!
Tried the recipe? Share or tag me on Instagram!