Authentic Thai Recipe for
Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil

Authentic Thai Recipe for
Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil

ผัดมะเขือยาว (Pad Makua Yao)

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Rated 4.5 Stars from 3305 reader reviews

First published on May 16, 2015
Recipe by W. Tipsuwan

Authentic Thai recipe for Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil
Yield: 2 - 4 servings
Prep time: 5 Minutes
Cooking time: 8 Minutes
Ready in: Less than 15 minutes

Ingredient List:

About my Pad Makua Yao:

About my Pad Makua Yao:

This simple yet completely delicious stir-fried eggplant makes a nice side-dish that goes well with many other types of foods, or it can be a great vegetarian lunch when served with a little steamed rice. Our long green eggplant, known in Thailand as Makua Yao, is cooked and seasoned with just a little hot chili, garlic, and soy sauce. We toss in a healthy portion of our fragrant and flavorful Thai sweet basil, known here as Horapah, which contributes the subtle flavors of licorice, anise, and other familiar spices. If you are not a fan of spicy foods, leave the chili out for an equally delicious result. This recipe comes out great with any type of eggplant that you have locally available.

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Step by Step Directions:

Step by Step Directions:

How to Make Pad Makua Yao

How to Make Pad Makua Yao

Step 1

For this recipe we use a long green eggplant called Makua Yao in Thailand. It is similar in flavor to almost every other eggplant, so if you don't have these where you are, just use what you have and it will come out great. The basil we use is Thai sweet basil called Horapah. It has a strong flavor of licorice or anise. However, any type of basil should produce a delicious dish using this method.

Photo of How to Make Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil - Step 1

Step 2

Pluck the leaves and flower tops from the basil until they measure 1 cup of loosely packed leaves.

Photo of How to Make Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil - Step 2

Step 3

Split the long eggplant lengthwise down the middle, then cut the halves into 1 inch pieces.

Photo of How to Make Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil - Step 3

Step 4

Crush the garlic and chilies.

Photo of How to Make Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil - Step 4

Step 5

Add oil to a wok or frying pan. Stir in the garlic and chili and fry for about 30 seconds.

Photo of How to Make Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil - Step 5

Step 6

Add the eggplant and stir into the garlic, chili, and oil.

Photo of How to Make Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil - Step 6

Step 7

Add about 1 cup of water to the eggplant and stir it up well. Cook over medium high heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often. Add small amounts of water only if needed to prevent sticking.

Photo of How to Make Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil - Step 7

Step 8

After about 5 minutes the eggplant should be soft, and the water reduced to just a little sauce. Add the soy sauce and sugar, and stir into the eggplant carefully. Cook for 1 minute more on high heat.

Photo of How to Make Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil - Step 8

Step 9

Turn off the heat and toss in the basil carefully so you don't mush up the eggplant.

Photo of How to Make Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil - Step 9

Step 10

Serve on a plate to be shared as part of a family style meal, or serve each portion over rice on individual plates. Garnish with fresh basil tops.

Photo of How to Make Vegetarian Stir-fried Eggplant with Sweet Basil - Step 10
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