fried jacket boxes

How to Make Crispy Fried Eggplant Boxes

Fried eggplant boxes, or qiehe, are a beloved Chinese snack with a crispy exterior and savory filling. Here’s a simple guide to making them at home.

Ingredients:

- 2 medium eggplants

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

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 tbsp soy sauce

- 1 tsp sesame oil

- Salt, pepper, and sugar to taste

- 1 egg, beaten

- ½ cup flour

- Oil for frying

Steps:

1. Prepare the eggplant: Slice the eggplants lengthwise into 0.5cm-thick pieces. Soak in salted water for 10 minutes to remove bitterness, then pat dry.

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

3. Assemble: Place a spoonful of filling between two eggplant slices, pressing gently to seal. Repeat for all pieces.

4. Coat: Dip each eggplant box into the beaten egg, then coat with flour, shaking off excess.

5. Fry: Heat oil in a wok over medium heat. Fry the boxes for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.

Serving: Enjoy hot with a sweet chili sauce or soy-vinegar dip. These crispy, flavorful snacks are perfect as appetizers or side dishes!