jacket boxes

How to Make Eggplant Boxes: A Complete Guide

Eggplant boxes, or qie he, are a crispy, savory Chinese snack loved for their golden crust and tender filling. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to making them at home.

Ingredients:

- 1 medium eggplant (sliced into ½-inch thick rounds)

- 200g ground pork (or chicken/vegetarian alternative)

- 2 cloves garlic (minced)

- 1 tbsp soy sauce

- 1 tsp sesame oil

- Salt, pepper, and flour (for coating)

- Oil (for frying)

Steps:

1. Prepare the eggplant: Sprinkle salt on eggplant slices and let them sit for 15 minutes to draw out bitterness. Pat dry with a paper towel.

2. Make the filling: Mix ground pork, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.

3. Assemble the boxes: Place a spoonful of filling between two eggplant slices, pressing gently to seal.

4. Coat and fry: Dip each eggplant box in flour, shaking off excess. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and fry for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

5. Serve: Enjoy hot with a sweet chili dipping sauce or soy-vinegar mix.

Tips: For extra crunch, add a dash of five-spice powder to the filling. For a healthier version, bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20 minutes instead of frying. These boxes are perfect as appetizers or a side dish!