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Crispy Eggplant Katsu “Macarons”

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This unique vegetarian dish pairs crispy eggplant with zesty yuzu mayo and a flavorful miso slaw, offering a fun savory twist on traditional macarons.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Fusion, Japanese
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Eggplant Preparation
  • 1 small small eggplant, sliced into ultra-thin rounds Make sure to slice thinly for even cooking.
  • Salt (to draw out moisture) Salt the slices and let sit for 10 minutes.
Breading
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Neutral oil for shallow frying Use enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan.
Yuzu Mayo
  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp yuzu juice (or lemon + orange mix if yuzu is unavailable)
  • 1 tsp sriracha or chili crisp Adjust to taste for spiciness.
  • Pinch of salt
Miso Slaw
  • 1 cup finely shredded cabbage (purple or napa)
  • 1 tsp white miso paste
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp honey
  • Pinch grated ginger
  • Black sesame seeds (optional)
  • Microgreens or shiso leaves (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Salt the eggplant slices and let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat them dry with a paper towel afterwards.
  2. Coat each eggplant slice by dipping it in flour, then egg, and then panko. Press gently to make sure the crumbs stick.
Cooking
  1. Heat a shallow layer of neutral oil in a frying pan. Fry the eggplant slices for about 2-3 minutes on each side until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Yuzu Mayo
  1. In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, yuzu juice, sriracha, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth.
Miso Slaw
  1. In another bowl, toss together the shredded cabbage, white miso paste, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and grated ginger. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
Assembly
  1. To assemble the macarons, spread or pipe some yuzu mayo on one eggplant round, add a pinch of the slaw, and top with a second round.
  2. Garnish with black sesame seeds or microgreens, if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g

Notes

Serve warm for the best texture. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat in an air fryer or hot oven, avoiding microwaving to prevent sogginess.
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