Japanese Teriyaki-Glazed Grilled Eggplant

Introduction

Transform simple eggplants into a flavorful Japanese-inspired dish with this easy grilled eggplant recipe. Sliced eggplants are grilled until beautifully tender on the Arteflame grill and coated with a homemade teriyaki glaze that caramelizes to perfection. The result is a dish that is packed with umami, slightly sweet, and deliciously smoky. Whether you enjoy it as a side dish or a main course, this teriyaki-glazed grilled eggplant will elevate your grilling game.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggplants, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
• 3 tablespoons butter (for grilling)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame grill

1. Pour some vegetable oil on three paper napkins.
2. Place the oiled napkins in the center of the grill.
3. Stack firewood over the napkins.
4. Light the paper napkins and allow the grill to heat up for about 20 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the teriyaki glaze

1. On the flat cooktop near the outer edge (lower heat zone), melt 1 tablespoon of butter.
2. Add soy sauce, mirin, honey, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
3. Simmer the sauce until it slightly thickens.
4. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue stirring until the glaze reaches a beautiful, glossy consistency, then remove from heat.

Step 3: Grill the eggplant slices

1. Brush the eggplant slices with melted butter.
2. Place them on the flat top cooktop near the center for a higher heat sear.
3. Grill each side for about 3-4 minutes until golden and softened.
4. Once tender, brush a generous layer of the teriyaki glaze onto each slice and let them slightly caramelize for another minute.

Step 4: Serve

1. Remove the eggplant from the grill.
2. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
3. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips

• For extra smoky flavor, let the eggplant develop a slight char before adding the glaze.
• Use a pastry brush to apply the glaze evenly.
• If you prefer extra softness, grill the slices further away from the center heat zone.
• For the best texture, do not press down on the eggplant while grilling.
• The glaze can be made in advance and stored for convenience.

Variations

1. Spicy Teriyaki: Add 1 teaspoon of Sriracha or chili flakes to the glaze for a spicy kick.
2. Miso-Teriyaki: Stir in 1 teaspoon of miso paste for deeper umami flavors.
3. Garlic-Lover’s Teriyaki: Double the amount of minced garlic for a bold garlic flavor.
4. Ginger-Boosted Teriyaki: Increase the grated ginger to 1 tablespoon to intensify the zesty flavor.
5. Smoky BBQ-Teriyaki: Mix 1 tablespoon of smoky barbecue sauce into the glaze for a fusion-style dish.

Best Pairings

• Steamed jasmine rice
• Grilled miso-glazed salmon
• Japanese cucumber salad
• Pickled ginger and radish
• A glass of chilled sake

Conclusion

This Japanese Teriyaki-Glazed Grilled Eggplant is a masterpiece cooked on the Arteflame grill. With its beautifully charred exterior and tender interior, combined with the sticky-sweet umami teriyaki glaze, it’s a dish worth savoring.