Ma Po Eggplant in Garlic Sauce - Andrew Zimmern

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork, preferably from the shoulder
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sambal oelek or other Asian chile sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• Six 8-ounce Asian eggplants, halved lengthwise
• 1 tablespoon peanut oil, plus more for brushing
• Kosher salt
• 2/3 cup chicken stock or low-sodium broth
• 1/4 cup dry sake
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon chile-bean sauce, such as Lee Kum Kee Toban Djan
• 3 scallions, minced, plus thinly sliced scallions, for garnish
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
• Steamed rice, for serving