Pud Makua Yow (basil eggplant)

Pud Makua Yow (basil eggplant)

From: thaitable.com
Prep time: 15
Cook time: 15
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:
10 big basil leaves (or equivalent smaller ones)
1 T sugar
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 onion, chopped (optional)
2 T fish sauce (substitute soy sauce for vegetarian dish)
4 c cut up eggplant (see below)
2 small chili peppers

Notes on eggplants:
1) Any kind of eggplant can be used, long green Thai eggplants, small white ones, or the more common large purple (aka Japanese) ones.
2) Cut the eggplant into irregular shapes for easy turning in the pan. If sliced into small disk, it tends to stick to the bottom of the pan and makes it difficult to flip.
3) don't cut eggplant until just before it goes into the pan, else it will turn brown.

Method:
Chop garlic, slice chili peppers, and mix
Pick leaves from stem of basil, if needed
Chop onions, if needed but don't mix with garlic
Heat wok over medium high heat
When hot, add oil, chili peppers and garlic
Stir until the garlic turn golden brown
Add onions
When onions are translucent, add eggplant, stir, and add 1 cup of water immediately (or else the eggplant will turn brown)
Cover wok until eggplant is cooked, which should take 5-7 minutes. It will turn from white to translucent, and most of the water should have been absorbed or evaporated. If eggplant is still not cooked, add a little bit more water and close lid again.
Add fish sauce and sugar and stir
Turn off heat
Add basil and quickly stir to heat the basil but not cook it (so it retains color)
Serve hot with rice