Khayan Dhi Ne Pazoon Sipyan - Slow Cooked Eggplant & Shrimp

This is a Burmese dish.  'Sipyan' in Burmese means 'oil returns', so don't skimp on the oil.  I use extra-light olive oil in all my cooking and since olive oil is supposed to be healthy, that along with the word 'light' gives me a certain amount of freedom to use a little extra oil.  To allow the full flavour of this dish to develop, it should be simmered on a low flame for as long as it takes for the liquid to evaporate and the oil to return to the surface.

Ingredients:

6 oriental eggplants, cubed
1 lb. medium shrimp, shelled & deveined
2 medium onions, quartered
6 garlic cloves, halved
2 dried red chillies, soaked
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp. paprika
1/8 tsp. turmeric
1 tsp. shrimp paste
1 Tbsp. fish sauce
6 Tbsp. vegetable oil
Cilantro, chopped

Directions:

1. Sprinkle salt over eggplants in a colander and set aside.
2. Blanch onions and garlic in a cup of boiling water, strain and keep hot water on a low simmer for step 8.
3. Puree all ingredients except eggplants, shrimp, cilantro and oil.
4. Heat 3 Tbsp. oil over medium heat and fry shrimp just until pink.
5. Remove shrimp and set aside.
6. In same saucepan heat remaining 3 Tbsp. oil and add pureed ingredients.
7. Simmer over medium-low heat until oil resurfaces.
8. Add reserved simmering water and bring to a brisk boil.
9. Simmer gravy for 5 minutes and add eggplants to saucepan.
10. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes or until all the liquid has evaporated and eggplants are cooked.
11. Add shrimp, stir and simmer for 5 minutes more.
12. Adjust seasoning and remove from heat.
13. Garnish with cilantro and serve with hot cooked rice.