What are steamed eggs?
Chinese steamed egg or water egg is a traditional Chinese dish found all over China. Steamed egg, also known as water egg or egg custard, is a famous Chinese dish made with eggs and water. With just eggs, water, salt, and a pinch of sesame oil, you can make Chinese custard at home.
How to make steamed eggs
The Chinese steamed eggs are made by steaming the egg mixture in a steamer until they are cooked. Simply mix eggs with warm broth or water, then briefly steam Chinese custard on the stove. The warm water is the key. When the egg and water are at the right temperature, they combine easily.
Start by measuring the warm broth/water to the volume of 3 eggs and add it to the bowl. If you want precision (without washing extra dishes), crack the eggs directly into the liquid measuring cup. Cover a large pot and bring to a boil.
I have seen many variations of this Chinese steamed egg dish – with a dash of soy sauce, shellfish, crab... or add some veggies for a nutrient-packed meal or go for a heartier option by adding sausage or bacon. Sometimes I decorate steamed eggs with shrimp or asparagus and continue to steam for another 3 minutes.
This soft, smooth, and tender steamed egg (dan geng 蛋羹,) is a comforting food for many Chinese kids.
The ideal Ratio
It is ideal to have a volume ratio of 1:2 between egg and water. If you add too much egg, the mixture will turn into a hard curd, and if you add too much water, it will not solidify.
For example, I used 3 eggs in this recipe. One egg is about ¼ cup in volume according to my measurement. So, I added 1.5 cups of chicken broth (or water), which make up a perfect 1:2 ratio.
How do Chinese people eat it?
The perfect breakfast food, of course! Steamed eggs are a healthy and delicious way to start your day, and they can be easily customized to suit your taste. Because they're steamed, they're easy to make and clean up. So, if you're looking for a new breakfast option, give steamed eggs a try.
Conclusion
Chinese steamed egg is a simple and tasty dish that is perfect for a quick meal or snack. Have you ever tried a Chinese steam egg? It’s a delicious and healthy breakfast or snack that is perfect for when you’re on the go. Let me know what you think!
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups of warm chicken broth or water
- 3 eggs lightly beaten
- ½ teaspoon salt
- green onions fine chopped, for garnish
- 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
- Few drops of sesame oil to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, crack the eggs and add the chicken broth (or water). Using a whisk, blend until smooth and combined.
- Warm the chicken broth (or water), then slowly stir it into the egg mixture and pour into a shallow ovenproof dish.
- Add the salt and the pepper and mix again.
- Remove the bubbles on the surface of the egg mixture. By doing this make sure the cooked egg mixture has a smooth surface.
- Place the dish on a rack in a steamer, cover (Place the bowl in the boiling water as soon as it begins to boil), and steam for about 10 min over gently heat, until the mixture is consistent with thick custard.
- Make a few cuts on the surface of the cooked egg mixture. Sprinkle the top of the steamed eggs with soy sauce, sesame oil, and chopped green onions.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
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