The Best Chinese Vegetable Recipe (Di San Xian AKA Three Treasures From the Ground)

Di San Xian, also known as "three treasures from the ground," is a classic northern Chinese dish made of crispy potatoes, soft eggplants, and fresh peppers, and then tossed in a lushes sauce.

Although these are the most common vegetables in any market, and the cooking method is rustic, this dish always brings out my fondest memory from my childhood. My mom will cook extra rice whenever she makes this dish because this recipe increases your appetite.

INGREDIENTS

Main Ingredients
300g / 10.6 oz of of potatoes
960g / 4 cups of water to cook the potatoes
¾ cup of water
1 tbsp of cornstarch to mix with the water
2 tbsp of cornstarch to coat the potato
110g / ½ cup oil to shallow-fry
300g / 10.6 oz of eggplant
3 tbsp of cornstarch to coat the eggplant
57g / 2oz of green chili pepper
57g / 2oz of red bell pepper
1 tbsp of diced garlic
2 tbsp of the diced white part of the scallions

Ingredient Tips
I recommend using long skinny eggplants because they are very tender (some Asian markets call them Korean or Chinese eggplants). However, if you use the globe eggplant (a fattier and darker color version), it is best to peel the skin for a better texture.

INSTRUCTIONS

Peel and cut the potatoes into bite-size pieces. Add the potatoes and water to a pot. Turn the heat to medium and cook for 15-18 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender. Don’t overcook because the potatoes will be deep-fried further.

While waiting, combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, and white pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and set it aside.

Combine 1 Tbsp cornstarch and ¾ cup water in a separate bowl and mix until no lumps remain. Set it aside.

Remove the cooked potatoes from the water and mix with 3 Tbsps cornstarch in a bowl until coated well.

Heat the oil in a wok to 360℉ / 182℃ and add the coated potatoes. Shallow-fry them until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

Use the roll-cutting technique to cut the eggplants into a size slightly bigger than the potatoes because eggplant shrinks after cooking.

Add the eggplant to a big bowl. Use a spray bottle to spray some water to wet the surface of the eggplant. Sprinkle 3 Tbsps cornstarch in batches and toss thoroughly until the eggplant is coated well.

Increase the oil’s temperature to 380℉ / 193℃ and then add the eggplant skin-side down. This retains the purple color.

Shallow-fry the eggplant until crispy, about 1 minute per side, and then remove and set it aside.

Keep the oil at 380℉ / 193℃, add the green and red pepper, and stir for 10 seconds. Remove and set it aside.

Pour most of the oil out but leave 1.5 Tbsps in the wok. Add the diced garlic and the white part of the scallions, and sauté for 1 minute.

Pour in the seasoning sauce and stir over low heat for 1 minute. Pour in the cornstarch water and continue to stir until thickened.

Add the fried potato, eggplant, and pepper to the wok. Drizzle in 2 tsps Chinese black vinegar and mix well. Serve with white rice.

[raysouth]

This looks superb. I’m in the southern hemisphere so I’ll save this recipe for our summer when eggplants are in full season.

[oscarquin]

Mandy is "Amazing", she makes cooking fun, and easy. Her videos are easy to follow and a delight to watch. Thank you Mandy for another delicious recipe, I look forward to continue to learn Chinese cuisine with you. Mandy makes is a phenomenal cook, and teacher.

[heedelorenzo]

Just made this. It's awesome. Used asian eggplant from my garden. For chili pepper I used deseeded jalapeno pepper from my garden. The sauce is delicious and the recipe is on point. Keeping this on rotation at my home. Highly recommend.

[whoputyouontheplanet]

Tried this recipe tonight, and my family went crazy for it! Thanks for uploading!!!

[enchantrezz]

I this recipe! I have made it so many times. It's easy to replicate and Mandy is so good at instructions that are clear and concise. I like to add dried hot peppers with the garlic and scallion to add spice if you're into modifications.

[gsr]

Eggplant, yay! We have many grownig in our garden right now! 👍

[dougblalock]

I love this dish! My wife’s father makes this and it is so delicious.
Made the those Jiao Yan wings last week and they were unbelievable!
I have found many uses for Jiao Yan it is a fabulous seasoning blend.

[hellowenie]

I LOVE EGGPLANT WITH VEGETABLES AND FRIED TOFU. THANK YOU, YOU GAVE US A QUICK RECIPE TO COOK THIS AND NOW I SEE I CAN TOO

[evan-r-k]

Happy to see this. Lots of fresh eggplants at the organic/heirloom gardener I have been following for many years. I actually used my eggplant yesterday for grilled eggplant. His farm's eggplants do not need any salting or anything they are not bitter to begin with unlike grocery store ones.

[miracleonaplate]

Fabulous!! Glad to see a celebration of readily available veggies

[aglmtc]

Made this today and love it! So colorful and delicious. Didn’t make it spicy and think I missed out. Will make it spicy the next time.

[AllyCakes]

I never know how they get that texture on the veggies! Now I know. Ty!

[crisdalere]

Love all of your recipes, they’re well explained. I will definitely give this a try. Thank you Mandy 😊

[poligannabelle]

I love that eggplant recipe, i often eat this in a restaurant when i was in china..

[Emeraldjack-rdbx]

I'm cooking this all of the time now. Thank u!!

[sonasona]

So happy that we can find the chinese eggplant here in The Netherlands, for me the nr 1 eggplant. Made your recipe and it was delicious. Thank you for your recipe.

[victorbenner]

As always this is another great video. I need to add to this that Mandy you are a absolute joy to watch. So cheerful and upbeat. Plus as a added bonus your so darned cute. The people in your life are very lucky. Have a great day 🌤 🎉😊😊😊

[EasyThereBigFella]

Now that is one tasty looking dish! Will try it this weekend for sure!! Thank you!

[jyang]

Can’t wait to try this recipe! Love watching all your videos <333

[kelseylizabeth]

Thanks for this recipe! We’ve got eggplants coming in like crazy in our garden so we definitely need ideas.