Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unpasteurized organic rice or barley miso
• 2-3 tablespoons organic coconut sugar or rice honey
• ½-3/4 cup stock or water
• 2 teaspoons grated ginger root
• 2 clove pressed garlic
• 3 tablespoons mirin rice wine
• 1 teaspoon organic apple cider vinegar
• the grated rind of organic orange or lemon rind
• 1 slice of a large eggplant
• oil for deep frying
• Sesame seeds for garnish

Method

Eggplant

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a tray with baking paper
2. Start making miso sauce marinade (see below)
3. Slice the eggplant in half, lengthways, then score the flesh in a diagonal pattern, taking care not to slice through the skin
4. Brush all over with sesame oil and cook, skin-side down, in a frying pan for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms flatten and the incisions begin to open.
5. Turn over and cook cut-side down for around 2 minutes until lightly browned. Transfer to prepared tray.
6. Spoon miso sauce over the cut sides of the eggplant until it runs into the incisions
   1. The leftover marinade can be refrigerated
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes until tender and shiny
8. Scatter with toasted sesame seeds if desired

1. In a small saucepan combine all the ingredients except the vinegar, eggplant, oil
2. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently
3. Stir in the grated rind.
4. Taste and adjust. Set aside.
5. Miso sauce can be kept refrigerated up to 30 days in a glass container