Burmese Pork & Eggplant Stir-Fry

A fast Burmese-inspired stir-fry that pairs savory ground pork with peak-August Washington eggplant and tomatoes in a gingery turmeric sauce.

Ingredients

  • Ground Pork
    12 ounces $5.99
  • Organic Eggplant
    1 pound $3.10
  • Roma Tomato
    8 ounces $2.89
  • Sweet Onion
    4 ounces $1.66
  • garlic
    2 cloves
  • fresh ginger
    1 tablespoon grated
  • fish sauce
    1 tablespoon
  • low-sodium soy sauce
    1 tablespoon
  • light brown sugar
    1 teaspoon
  • water
    1/2 cup
  • neutral cooking oil
    2 tablespoons
  • kosher salt
    3/4 teaspoon
  • ground turmeric
    1/4 teaspoon
  • red pepper flakes
    1/4 teaspoon
  • lime juice
    1 tablespoon
  • Cilantro Bunch
    1/4 cup chopped leaves and tender stems $1.19

Instructions

  1. Season 12 ounces Ground Pork with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and let stand for at least 5 minutes while prepping. Cut 1 pound Organic Eggplant into 3/4-inch cubes and place in Bowl A. Dice 4 ounces Sweet Onion, mince 2 cloves garlic, and grate 1 tablespoon fresh ginger; combine them in Bowl B. Chop 8 ounces Roma Tomato and place in Bowl C. Whisk 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon light brown sugar, and 1/2 cup water in a measuring cup.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add Bowl A, season with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and stir-fry for 6 to 8 minutes until browned and nearly tender; transfer it to a plate.
  3. Add 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil to the skillet, followed by the seasoned meat and Bowl B. Stir-fry for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking the meat into bite-size pieces, until browned and safely cooked through to 160°F.
  4. Add 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; stir for 30 seconds. Add Bowl C and the prepared sauce, then simmer for 3 minutes, scraping up the browned bits.
  5. Return Bowl A to the skillet and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and coated in the reduced sauce.
  6. Turn off the heat and fold in 1 tablespoon lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped Cilantro Bunch leaves and tender stems. Divide the stir-fry between two shallow bowls and serve immediately.

Total time: 40 minutes

Estimated cost: About $12–$15 for 2 servings

Health notes: Approximately 680 calories per serving, with about 31 grams of protein and a generous portion of vegetables.

Drink pairing: An off-dry Riesling complements the savory fish sauce and gently spicy ginger-turmeric sauce.