• Add 1 cup water and 1/8 tsp salt to a medium pot (Use same for 4 ppl). Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. 
• Meanwhile, using a strainer, rinse rice until water runs clear.
• Add rice to the boiling water, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, 11-13 min. (NOTE: Reduce heat to low if water is boiling over.)
• Remove from heat. Set aside, still covered.

• Meanwhile, if desired, peel half the eggplant (use all for 4 ppl). Cut into 1-inch pieces.
• Peel, then mince or grate half the ginger (use all for 4 ppl). 
• Thinly slice green onion.
• Meanwhile cut bok choy into 1-inch pieces. Using a strainer, rinse bok choy to wash away any hidden
  dirt.

• Add eggplant to a foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle 1 tbsp (2 tbsp) oil over top, then season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
• Broil in the middle of the oven, tossing halfway through, until tender and golden brown, 9-12 min.

• Meanwhile, pat tofu dry with paper towels, then crumble into pea-sized pieces.
• Heat a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. 
• When hot, add 1 tbsp (2 tbsp) oil, then tofu. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tofu is golden-brown all over, 6-7 min.
• Add ginger and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 1 min. 

• Add bok choy, Szechuan sauce, soy sauce and 1/4 cup (1/3 cup) water to pan with tofu. Cook, stirring often, until bok choy is tender, 2-3 min. 
• Fluff rice with a fork, then add half the rice to pan with tofu mixture (use all the rice for 4 ppl). Cook, stirring occasionally, until combined, 1-2 min. 
• Remove from heat. When eggplant is done, gently stir into tofu mixture.

• Divide tofu and eggplant rice between bowls. 
• Sprinkle green onions over top. 
• Drizzle as much chili-garlic sauce over top as desired. 

If you've opted to get tofu, pat tofu dry with paper towels, then crumble into pea-sized pieces. When the pan is hot, add 1 tbsp (2 tbsp) oil, then tofu. Cook it in the same way the recipe instructs you to cook the beef, until golden-brown all over, 6-7 min. Disregard instructions to drain excess fat.