Seasame Eggplant and Tofu! One of my Favorites!

Pick your eggplant small.  Japanese eggplant has fewer seeds and there is no need to salt japanese eggplant.  Japanese is the elongated style, Italian eggplant has white variations in color to its surface and if you are able to pick these up, they will not need salting and patting like traditionalbowl ended eggplant either.

This recipe came from Emeril's new show in The Cooking Channel, "Fresh Food Fast."
I love this recipe, it is low-carb and full of protein and fresh flavor, the sesame, the creaminess of the eggplant and tofu, the crisp of the fresh green onions... ahhh so full of rich flavors.  A feast for your palate.  It is also versatile, you can use it as a side dish to pasta or fish, or as I do, as a main course.  It's easy and takes less than 30 minutes to make.  ....will post pictures in a bit.

Ingredients...

1/2 cup olive oil
2 pounds Japanese or Italian eggplant, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1/2 pound firm tofu, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 green onions, bottoms minced and tops sliced, reserved separately

2 tablespoons minced garlic - about 6 cloves
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon dark Asian sesame oil

 
Over medium heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a large nonstick saute pan. When it is hot, add 1/2 of the eggplant and 3/4 teaspoon of the salt. Cook until the eggplant is nicely browned and softened, turning as necessary to promote even browning, about 5 minutes.  The eggplant will absorb the oil, you may need to add a few extra drops here and there.  Add half of the green onion bottoms, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds, and 1/2 tablespoon of the sesame oil. Toss to combine. Transfer to a plate and set aside.


Repeat with the remaining ingredients plus the tofu. Combine both batches in the same pan, add the green onion tops, and heat briefly until warmed through, 1 minute. Serve immediately.  I have reheated this for my lunch (leftovers) and it reheats nicely as well.  That is, if there's any left!