Fusion Eggplant Salad
EGGPLANT
1 good-sized globe eggplant
2 teaspoons light soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil

SAUCE/DRESSING
1 tablespoon shallots, chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced fresh red chiles
1/2 teaspoon dried shrimp (optional)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon tomato puree
2-3 teaspoons lime juice

TO FINISH
1/2 cup Mexican crema
1 bunch cilantro
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/4 cup black olive slices

Cut the eggplant into 1/4 inch thick slices. Rub with the light soy sauce,
sesame oil, and sugar. Set aside.

Put the shallots, garlic, chiles, dried shrimp (if using), cumin, and 1/2
teaspoon of the oil into a blender or mini-chopper; blend to a paste. (Or
you can use a mortar and pestle.)

Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the paste
you just made. Fry the paste on medium heat for about 5 minutes till the oil
starts separating from the paste. If this doesn't happen in 5 minutes, add 2
teaspoons water to the mix. Add the sugar and salt and cook for another
minute.

Add the tomato puree (or use finely chopped fresh tomato) to the paste along
with a tablespoon of water and let it cook for another 3 minutes.

Take the paste off the heat and put it into a bowl. Add the lime juice, half
first and then adding more one-half teaspoon at a time. Taste after each
addition: The sourness of the lime and the sweet flavor of the tomato should
be the first things you taste, then the chile should make its presence felt.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a nonstick skillet until shimmering. Add the
eggplant slices and cook them for about 3 minutes on each side.

Lightly spread about two teaspoons of the dressing on a serving platter.
Arrange the eggplant prettily on the platter. Liberally rub the remaining
dressing all over the eggplant. Drizzle with crema. Coarsely chop cilantro.
Sprinkle cilantro, tomato chunks, and olives over the dish. Can be served
hot, cold, or room temperature.

Bob