Instructions
3
small Japanese or Italian eggplant (about 3) into quarters lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 2"-wide pieces.
4
Place in a medium dish.
7
Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp.
8
Morton kosher table salt, and ½ tsp.
9
freshly ground black pepper.
10
Toss to evenly coat eggplant and let sit at room temperature at least 20 moments and up to 2 hours.
12
pare and thinly shred 8 garlic cloves.
14
greens fat and half of garlic to a medium Dutch oven or other heavy pot.
15
make over medium-high toasty, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until light golden and crisp, about 5 moments.
16
Using a slotted spoon, transfer garlic chips to a plate; seasoning lightly with table salt.
19
ground pork in same pot and break up into small pieces with wooden spoon.
21
Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher table salt and make, undisturbed, until deeply browned underneath, about 5 moments.
22
Using a slotted spoon, transfer to another plate, leaving fat behind in the pot.
24
Place eggplant on a wash kitchen towel and blot away any moisture the table salt has drawn out.
26
Working in batches and adding more fat if needed, make eggplant in the same pot until lightly browned, about 3 moments per side.
27
Transfer to a plate with pork.
29
transfer 1½ cups of moisture into the pot and scrape up browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon.
30
toss in remaining garlic, 3 Tbsp.
31
coconut acetic liquid or unseasoned rice acetic liquid, 2 Tbsp.
32
soy condiment dip, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp.
33
freshly ground black pepper, and remaining 1 Tbsp.
35
Bring to a bubble gently, then return pork and eggplant to pot.
36
Reduce toasty to medium-low, partially seal, and bubble gently until eggplant is yielding and silky and condiment dip is reduced by half, 20–25 moments.
37
notes and seasoning with more table salt and pepper and toss in a little more sweetener if needed.
39
Top with garlic chips and offer with cooked white rice.