The Savory Three

Ingredients:

2 bell peppers

1 eggplant

3 potatoes

3 cloves garlic

2 tbsp. soy sauce

3 tbsp. water

salt to taste

This is a very famous and easy Chinese dish to make. Make sure to follow the order of adding vegetables to get the perfect level of tenderness. 

Chop all veggies to bite size.

Heat a little larger amount of oil than you usually do in a pan. (Potatoes and eggplant absorb the oil really fast. Use a pan with a lid.)

First. Add in potatoes. Saute 3 mins.

Second. Add in eggplant. Saute 3 mins.

Third. Add in bell pepper and garlic. Saute 3 mins.

Last. Add in 2 tbsp. soy sauce, 3 tbsp. water and some salt to taste. 

Cover and let it cook 2 mins. ( Keep an eye on the water level. Do not burn the veggies.)

This dish is called 地三鲜 (di san xian) in Chinese. It can be translated as the savory three from the earth.  It is such a famous and tasty dish so almost every restaurant in China has it on the menu. 

Basil Tofu Eggplant

Ingredients: Eggplant, firm tofu, fresh basil, garlic, soy sauce, salt

1. Heat oil, add chopped garlic, eggplant and basil. Stir. Let the oil cover each side of the eggplant. Cook 3 mins. Set aside. It is ok if the eggplant is still hard.

2. Heat oil, cook firm tofu, each side 5 mins. 

3. Add cooked eggplant to tofu. Add soy sauce. Cover the pan over medium heat and cook 5 mins.

4. Add salt.

Tip: Keep an eye on the food after adding soy sauce to it. It is safer to use medium heat. Soy sauce dries faster than you think.