My Cooking Journal 12 - Simple Chinese Steam Eggs (中式蒸蛋)

If you want to prepare a quick, easy and nutrition dish for your family, I would suggest preparing a good dish of plain steamed egg that will simply melted in your mouth.

Eggs contain many essential nutrition that benefits our health. It is not only rich in protein and is also a good source of Vitamins A, B2 (riboflavin), B9 (Folate), B12 and D and minerals such as selenium, iodine, iron, zinc, lutein, choline, phosphorous, molybdenum. The health benefits of eggs are mainly contributed in the egg yolks. Choline is well known for brain development. It helps to develop healthy fetal brain, improving our memory function and so prevents us from age-related memory loss. Folate helps pregant woman to prevent birth defects. Then, lutein preserves our eyesight and protects us against macular degeneration and cataract. Needless to say, Vitamin D helps to form and maintain strong bones.

Though eggs are considerably high in fat and cholesterol, the fat it's contain are mostly monounsaturated fat and much of the cholesterol in eggs may not be well absorbed by our body. Therefore, it has little impact in raising blood cholesterol. Nevertheless, we should still consume eggs in moderation and try to maintain our cholesterol intake to 300mg daily. An healthy individual should consume not more than four eggs per week.

Buy and Store Eggs

You can buy eggs from any provision shops, supermarket and local wet markets in pack of tray or carton. Before purchase, make sure you inspect any crack or break eggs.

Storing eggs in their original carton or tray can prevent absorption of odours and lost of moisture. It will still be able to keep its freshness for about one month if you maintain it in the original condition and stored it in the refrigerator. Avoid washing the eggs prior storing them in the refrigerator as it will remove their protective coating. Also, avoid storing eggs near the refrigerator door as the eggs tends to expose to heat more frequently when you opened and closed the refrigerator door. This will reduce their freshness.

Ingredients:

1. 2 eggs for serving 2 adults and 2 toddlers
2. 4 eggs shells of water
3. 100g minced pork - To marinate
4. Pinch of salt and suger - To taste
5. Chopped spring onion - Garnish

Marinate minced pork in a bowl :

1. 1/2 tsp light soy sauce
2. 1/2 tsp sesame oil
3. Dash of pepper & sugar
4. Set aside

Measurement of Water:

Break a small hole at the top of the egg shell, then pour out the egg into a bowl. Filled up the empty egg shell with water (till full), pour the water into the bowl of eggs - (Total: do 4 times)

For every one egg, do the above 2 times. (Ratio - Egg : Water = 1:2) 

Methods:

1. Break 2 eggs in a bowl. Add pinch of pepper, sugar and salt and beat the eggs lightly.
2. Then add water and marinated minced pork into the bowl of egg. Stir mixed well gently. Remove the bubbles that are formed on the surface of the custard using a spoon (scoop up the bubbles or flattened it using the back of spoon). Do not beat the egg mixture too hard as it will create more bubbles resulting in uneven egg texture after steaming.
3. Prepare a pot/wok with water. Place the iron steam rack in the pot/wok and heat over high heat. Once water boiled, place the egg dish on the steam rack. Cover lid and turn to low heat, steam for 7 to 10 minutes.
4. Garnish with chopped spring onion before serve.

Other Notes:
If you want a perfectly silky egg texture, cover the egg dish with transparent food wrap film before steaming. In the event of steaming, water droplets will form and drop into the egg dish which in turn create uneven texture on the surface of the egg custard. As for me, I usually skip this procedure.

Method 1 & 2

Method 4