Hunan-Style Eggplant-Century Egg Dip (Leijiao Pidan Qiezi, 擂椒皮蛋茄子)

The Mala Market

Author: Charlene Luo

4 green “ox horn” chilies or 2 poblano peppers (or other semi-spicy green chili)
2 medium-sized Chinese eggplants
2–3 century eggs, peeled
2 tablespoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons ground chilies
⅓ cup neutral oil, such as vegetable oil
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon MSG (optional)
½ teaspoon black vinegar, such as Baoning
½ teaspoon granulated sugar
Toasted sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Char the chilies on low or medium-low heat by placing the peppers directly on the stove grates and rotating constantly on the flame until you achieve “tiger stripes": The whole pepper should be blistered and covered in charred stripes. If you don’t have a gas stove, you can char the peppers by heating them in a pan over medium-high heat. (You could also use a kitchen torch, if you have one.) Remove the stems from the charred peppers, and remove the seeds if you prefer less spice.
Slice the eggplants crosswise into 2–3 inch segments and steam them over high heat for 10 minutes, or until they’ve softened. Let them cool completely.
Working with one or two ingredients at a time, use a food processor to pulse the chili peppers, eggplants and peeled century eggs into chunky pastes; the final consistency should resemble a coarse guacamole. Transfer the mixture to a heat-proof mixing bowl and add the garlic and the chili powder.
Heat the oil until it is almost smoking, then pour it onto the mixture in the bowl to toast the aromatics.
Season the dip with the soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, MSG (if using), black vinegar and sugar. Garnish the dip with a light sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, if using.
Serve the dip chilled or at room tempurature with sliced cucumbers, radishes or other vegetables for scooping.

This dip can be kept in the refrigerator for a day or two, but it starts oxidizing and fermenting pretty quickly (within 2–3 days).

https://blog.themalamarket.com/hunan-style-eggplant-century-egg-dip-leijiao-pidan-qiezi/