With its unique Asian flavors, the bright herby chimichurri in this dish is great served over both the marinated tempeh and eggplant. We last featured this meal in 2022. Smarts: If using the grill, be sure to slice the tempeh and eggplant in a size and shape that won't fall through the grill grates. If you prefer, substitute asparagus or zucchini. If cooking in the oven, you can cube the eggplant. Cooking Methods: This recipe includes instructions for using the grill or oven. Select your preferred method.
Jalapenos - 1 , chopped, seeds removed for less heat
Cilantro leaves - 1 cup , loosely packed
Parsley leaves - 1 cup , loosely packed
Garlic - 3 cloves
Shallots - 2 cloves
Lime juice - 2 Tbsp
Vinegar, rice - 1 1/2 Tbsp
Oil, toasted sesame - 1 tsp
Soy sauce, low-sodium - 1 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Oil, cooking - 1/4 cup , plus more if needed
Roasted Garlic Eggplant:
Eggplants, Chinese or Japanese - 1 1/2 lbs , sliced into 1” / 2.5 cm strips
(sub Italian)
Garlic - 3 cloves , chopped
Oil, olive - 3 Tbsp
Grilled Marinated Tempeh:
Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp
Soy sauce, low-sodium - 1 Tbsp
Vinegar, rice - 1 Tbsp
Honey - 2 tsp
Garlic powder - 1 tsp
Coriander, ground - 1 tsp
Tempeh - 12 oz , sliced into thick strips
(sub extra-firm tofu)
Water - 1/2 cup
White or Brown Rice (for 2 nights):
Rice, uncooked white or brown - 2 cups
Choose Cooking Method
Prep
Make marinade - (If prepping right before cooking, get grill heating while tempeh marinates.) Combine cooking oil (portion for tempeh), soy sauce (portion for tempeh), vinegar (portion for tempeh), honey, garlic powder, and ground coriander. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Tempeh - Slice tempeh into strips. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Steam and marinate tempeh - Combine tempeh and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover loosely with a paper towel. Steam in the microwave on high for 2 minutes. Drain off water. Pour marinade over tempeh and gently toss to combine. Set aside for at least 20 minutes and up to 1 day. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Rice - (This makes enough for 2 nights.) For white rice, rinse until clear. Fill a saucepan or Dutch oven (or rice cooker) with rice, water (use 2:1 ratio for water to rice), and some salt. Cover with lid and bring to a boil. Once water boils, stir, lower heat to a low-medium, and cover. Check white rice after ~20 min; brown at ~45 min. Rice is done when it's absorbed all the water. If it's not done, leave the cover on until all water has been absorbed. Take cover off to release steam and fluff with a wooden spoon after 5 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make chimichurri - (This makes enough for 2 nights.) Chop jalapenos. In a blender or food processor combine cilantro, parsley, jalapenos, garlic cloves (portion for chimichurri), shallots, lime juice, vinegar (portion for chimichurri), toasted sesame oil, soy sauce (portion for chimichurri), salt, and cooking oil (portion for chimichurri). Blend until nearly smooth. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Eggplant / Garlic (portion for eggplant) - Prep as directed. Be sure to slice eggplant so that slices can rest on the grill grates without falling through. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Season eggplant - Toss together eggplant, garlic (portion for eggplant), olive oil, and some salt.
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Remove tempeh from marinade (discard marinade). Season with some salt and pepper.
Heat grill to 450F / 232C degrees, keeping one part over direct heat and one part over indirect heat.
Brush grates with some oil and place tempeh and eggplant slices over direct heat. Sear on all sides until grill marks show and then move to indirect heat.
Cover and continue cooking until eggplant is tender and tempeh is warmed through.
If rice was made ahead, reheat in the microwave. (Remember to reserve half for Wednesday's meal.)
Serve tempeh and eggplant over rice. Top with chimichurri (reserve half for Wednesday). Enjoy!
Prep
Make marinade - (If prepping right before cooking, get oven heating while tempeh marinates.) Combine cooking oil (portion for tempeh), soy sauce (portion for tempeh), vinegar (portion for tempeh), honey, garlic powder, and ground coriander. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Tempeh - Slice tempeh into strips. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Steam and marinate tempeh - Combine tempeh and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover loosely with a paper towel. Steam in the microwave on high for 2 minutes. Drain off water. Pour marinade over tempeh and gently toss to combine. Set aside for at least 20 minutes and up to 1 day. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Rice - (This makes enough for 2 nights.) For white rice, rinse until clear. Fill a saucepan or Dutch oven (or rice cooker) with rice, water (use 2:1 ratio for water to rice), and some salt. Cover with lid and bring to a boil. Once water boils, stir, lower heat to a low-medium, and cover. Check white rice after ~20 min; brown at ~45 min. Rice is done when it's absorbed all the water. If it's not done, leave the cover on until all water has been absorbed. Take cover off to release steam and fluff with a wooden spoon after 5 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make chimichurri - (This makes enough for 2 nights.) Chop jalapenos. In a blender or food processor combine cilantro, parsley, jalapenos, garlic cloves (portion for chimichurri), shallots, lime juice, vinegar (portion for chimichurri), toasted sesame oil, soy sauce (portion for chimichurri), salt, and cooking oil (portion for chimichurri). Blend until nearly smooth. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Eggplant / Garlic (portion for eggplant) - Prep as directed. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Season eggplant - Toss together eggplant, garlic (portion for eggplant), olive oil, and some salt.
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Remove tempeh from marinade (discard marinade). Season with some salt and pepper.
Heat oven to 450F / 232C.
Lightly spray a sheet pan with some nonstick cooking spray or brush with some oil. Spread eggplant and tempeh out in a single layer (use two sheet pans if needed). Bake, turning eggplant and tempeh halfway through cooking, until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
If rice was made ahead, reheat in the microwave. (Remember to reserve half for Wednesday's meal.)
Serve tempeh and eggplant over rice. Top with chimichurri (reserve half for Wednesday). Enjoy!