Eggplant Rice Bowl (Unagi-Style)

20240116 #breakfastdiary 954, -8°C/mostly clear A post on the morning commute, a reel on the evening commute — that's been my pattern for the past several months. It really looks like eel, but it's #eggplantricebowl Peel 2 eggplants and microwave for 2 minutes. Carefully slice them lengthwise without cutting all the way through, then open them out flat. (⚠️Eggplant fresh out of the microwave is hot.) Meanwhile, make the sauce with 2 mirin, 2 soy sauce, and 1 each water and sugar. Heat oil in a pan and sear the prepared eggplant on both sides until golden, pouring in the sauce a little at a time as it cooks. Lay the eggplant over warm rice (torch it briefly for dramatic effect if you like — totally optional!) and garnish with chopped chives or scallion. Oh, and a touch of sesame oil right before eating 🤏 Clicked in thinking it was eel — got fooled. (This is a poll-feature test.)