Red-Cooked Eggplant (Hongshao Qiezi)

• 5 Chinese eggplants, quartered lengthwise, cut into 3-inch pieces
• 3 cups canola oil
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons chinese chili bean paste
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 oil-packed anchovy fillet, finely chopped
• 1 sachet spices (5 whole cloves, 4 whole star anise, 2 pods black cardamom, one 4-inch strip peeled orange zest, and )
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 1/2 teaspoons szechuan peppercorns, crushed
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• 2 chiles de arbol, stemmed
• 2 tablespoons Chinese wine
• 12 teaspoons fish sauce
• 3 garlic cloves, mashed
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
• 1/4 cup hot sesame chili oil

1. Submerge eggplant in a bowl filled with ice water for 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a 14" flat-bottomed wok over medium-high heat.
3. Drain eggplant, dry thoroughly with paper towels, and add all to the oil. Cook until just soft and golden, about 3 minutes.
4. Using a slotted spoon, transfer eggplant to a bowl, cover with boiling water, and let sit for 3 minutes. Drain; dry with paper towels.
5. Discard all but 1/4 cup oil in wok; return to medium heat.
6. Add sugar; stir until sugar dissolves and mixture looks like separated peanut butter.
7. Add 1 tablespoons chili paste, tomato paste, bay leaf, and anchovy; cook for 1 minute.
8. Add sachet of spices, stock, 1 teaspoons peppercorns, dark soy sauce, fennel seeds, and chiles; boil.
9. Cook until reduced by half, about 15 minutes; discard bouquet garni.
10. Add remaining chili paste, wine, fish sauce, and garlic; cook for 1 minute.
11. Add eggplant; fold into sauce.
12. Transfer to a plate; garnish with remaining peppercorns, dill, chives, and chili oil.

chinese eggplants, canola oil, light brown sugar, chinese chili bean paste, tomato paste, bay leaf, oil, sachet spices, chicken stock, szechuan peppercorns, soy sauce, fennel seed, arbol, chinese wine, fish sauce, garlic, dill, chives, hot sesame chili oil

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/red-cooked-eggplant-hongshao-qiezi-514737 (may not work)