Panda Express Style Eggplant and Tofu

All the goodness of Panda Express without all the processed, MSG laden, sugar injected "vegetarian"  food.  Yes, even their vegetables are cooked in a chicken broth...  Try this instead!

I apologize for the lack of pictures.  It looked amazing!  Unfortunately, I couldn't get a good one before if was devoured...  

Tastes better than this looks

2 lbs. mixed Eggplant (Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian)
1 lb. Ex. Firm Tofu
1 Serrano Pepper
3 Green Onions
1 tbsp. Canola Oil
1 clove Garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. ginger, minced
2 tsp. Chinese 5 Spice Powder

First, prepare tofu by pressing out the excess moisture between two plates lined with paper towels and weighed down.  After tofu has been pressed, cut into triangles.  Heat a skillet over high heat.  Add tofu  to dry skillet and let brown on each side (it helps if you weigh it down with a lid or something.  This process also helps to extract any remaining moisture and give a nice crust on the tofu).  After the tofu has browned on both sides, place in the marinade for at least 2 hours.

Now time to grill!  Cut the eggplant into 1" thick slices (skewer anything that may fall through the grill grates).  Skewer the tofu.  Coat the vegetables with an oil cooking spray.  Grill the eggplant, tofu, serrano pepper and green onions over high, direct heat until browned (all have different cooking times, so keep an eye on them).  Remove from grill.  Cube eggplant, slice green onions, peel and dice serrano pepper.

Heat oil in a wok over medium heat.  Add in garlic, ginger and chinese 5 spice and cook 30 seconds.  Lower heat and add in sauce, cook for another 30 seconds.  Add in grilled vegetables and tofu and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until sauce has thickened, about two  minutes.  Serve over brown rice.

MARINADE
1/3 c. Soy Sauce
1/4 c. Rice Vinegar
1 tbsp. Sesame Oil
1 clove Garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. garlic, minced
1 tsp. Chinese 5 Spice Powder


Combine all ingredients in a small bowl

SAUCE
Remaining Marinade
1 tbsp. Mirin
2 tsp. Cornstarch

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, making sure that the cornstarch has been fully whisked in and no clumps remain.