Eggplant Sichuan Style

6 Chinese eggplant; -=OR=-

1 lg -Italian eggplant

2 ts Salt

4 tb Peanut or corn oil

-=(or more if needed)=- 1 tb Soy sauce

1 tb Sugar

1/4 c stock

2 ts Grated fresh peeled ginger

1 tb Minced garlic

1/4 ts Dried red chile flakes

1/4 c Chopped water chestnuts,

-(peeled), preferably fresh 3 Green onions

- trimmed and chopped 1 tb Red wine vinegar

1 tb Sesame oil

1 tb Toasted black sesame seeds

- (for garnish) - CUT EGGPLANT into 1/2-by-2-inch strips. If using Italian eggplants, peel skin. In a colander, toss eggplant with salt; drain for 30 minutes. Squeeze gently to remove excess water. Pat dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, sugar and chicken stock. Preheat wok until hot over high heat. Add 3 tablespoons of the oil, tilt wok to coat sides. When hot, add 1 layer of eggplant, stir-fry until seared and tender (about 3 minutes). Remove to colander. Drain over a bowl to catch juices. Cook remaining eggplant in same manner adding more oil if needed. Reheat wok over medium-high heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of the oil, ginger, garlic and chile; cook gently but do not brown. Add water chestnuts and half of the green onions; stir-fry together for 5 seconds. Increase to high heat, add reserved soy sauce mixture and eggplant juices; bring to a boil. Return cooked eggplant; toss quickly over high heat until most of the sauce is reduced and absorbed into eggplant (about 1-to-2 minutes). Fold in vinegar and sesame oil. Remove to serving dish. Top with remaining green onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot or cold.