Name: Tamari-Ginger Meatball & Eggplant Casserole
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds eggplant, preferably Japanese (see Tips), cut into 1-inch chunks; 4 tablespoons peanut oil, divided; 0.25 cup reduced-sodium tamari; 0.25 cup Shao Hsing rice wine or dry sherry; 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons water; 1.5 pounds lean ground pork; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger; 0.25 teaspoon ground white pepper; Pinch of salt; 0.25 cup cornstarch; 4 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces; 0.5 cup chopped fresh cilantro; 0.25 cup chopped lightly salted peanuts; 1 small red hot or sweet red pepper, seeded and minced

Tamari-Ginger Meatball & Eggplant Casserole

4.7

(11)

10 Reviews

Eggplant soaks up the flavors of ginger, garlic and tamari in this Asian-inspired casserole recipe. A hot pepper in the topping adds a bit of heat, but opt for sweet if you prefer.

Hilary Meyer

Updated on March 5, 2020

Cook Time:

45 mins

Additional Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

Servings:

Yield:

6 sevings

Nutrition Profile:

Heart Healthy Low-Calorie Dairy-Free Diabetes Appropriate Gluten-Free Low Sodium Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

2 pounds eggplant, preferably Japanese (see Tips), cut into 1-inch chunks
4 tablespoons peanut oil, divided
¼ cup reduced-sodium tamari
¼ cup Shao Hsing rice wine or dry sherry
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons water
1 ½ pounds lean ground pork
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
Pinch of salt
¼ cup cornstarch
4 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup chopped lightly salted peanuts
1 small red hot or sweet red pepper, seeded and minced

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Place eggplant in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish (or similar-size 3-quart baking dish). Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil; toss to coat. Bake until starting to brown, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine tamari, rice wine (or sherry), sugar, vinegar and water in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
Combine pork, garlic, ginger, white pepper and salt in a medium bowl. Using about 3 tablespoons for each, form the mixture into 18 meatballs. Place cornstarch in a shallow dish. Roll meatballs in it until well coated. (Discard any remaining cornstarch.)
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the reserved sauce and cook, turning the meatballs to coat with the sauce, until it is slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes more. Add the meatballs, sauce and scallions to the eggplant.
Bake the casserole until the eggplant is very tender and an instant-read thermometer inserted in a meatball registers at least 165 degrees F, about 15 minutes.
Combine cilantro, peanuts and red pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the casserole just before serving.

Tips

Tips: A smaller, thinner variety with deep purple skin, Japanese eggplant has little to no bitter seeds and a mild, sweet taste. It's great for roasting, grilling and stir-fries. Choose firm eggplants with no bruised areas.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

369	Calories
18g	Fat
27g	Carbs
26g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Serving Size 3 meatballs & 1 cup eggplant
Calories 369
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 27g	10%
Dietary Fiber 5g	16%
Total Sugars 10g
Added Sugars 4g	8%
Protein 26g	53%
Total Fat 18g	23%
Saturated Fat 4g	22%
Cholesterol 66mg	22%
Vitamin A 314IU	6%
Vitamin C 15mg	17%
Folate 36mcg	9%
Sodium 598mg	26%
Calcium 41mg	3%
Iron 2mg	11%
Magnesium 45mg	11%
Potassium 510mg	11%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.