It's also notorious for absorbing oil when it's fried, but that's not a problem with this recipe, where the eggplant is steamed ... to thin out the sauce. Buy Chinese or Japanese eggplants ...

The small eggplant is cut in rounds and sautéed at with lots of garlic and ginger, and of course, a concoction of sauces is ...

Local author Betty Liu gives you basic techniques in "The Chinese Way," then you can adapt her recipes to suit your pantry.

This recipe for shrimp and eggplant stir-fry -- courtesy of recipe developer Julie Kinnaird -- combines chewy udon noodles, ...