Chinese steamed eggs facts for kids
Chinese steamed egg topped with broth and other ingredients
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| Alternative names | Water egg |
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| Place of origin | China |
| Region or state | Chinese-speaking areas |
| Main ingredients | egg and water or chicken broth |
| Ingredients generally used | scallion, century egg, or dried shrimp |
| Variations | Chawanmushi, Gyeran jjim |
| Chinese steamed eggs | |||||||||||||||||
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| Chinese | 鸡蛋羹 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Alternative Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||
| Chinese | 蒸水蛋 | ||||||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | steam water egg | ||||||||||||||||
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| Second alternative Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||
| Chinese | 蒸蛋 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Third alternative Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||
| Chinese | 水蒸蛋 | ||||||||||||||||
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Chinese steamed eggs, also known as water egg, is a yummy traditional Chinese dish. You can find it all over China. This dish is made by beating eggs, similar to how you would for an omelette. Then, the egg mixture is cooked using steam.
Sometimes, you might see it called "egg custard" on restaurant menus. When eaten cold, it feels and tastes a bit like gelatin, but without any sugar. It's a simple yet delicious dish that many people enjoy!
Contents
How to Make Chinese Steamed Eggs
Making Chinese steamed eggs is quite simple. The main ingredients are eggs and water. Adding water helps make the eggs super soft and tender. A good amount of water to use is about 1.5 times the amount of egg. For example, if you have 1 cup of beaten egg, you would add 1.5 cups of water.
Adding Flavor and Other Ingredients
To make the dish even tastier, you can add different flavors. Some popular choices include sesame oil, soy sauce, or chicken broth. These liquids give the eggs a richer taste.
You can also add other solid ingredients to the egg mixture. Common additions include sliced mushrooms, tiny clams, or even crab meat. These ingredients are mixed into the egg before it's cooked.
Steaming the Eggs Perfectly
Once everything is mixed, the egg mixture is poured into a dish. This dish is then placed inside a steamer. The eggs are steamed until they are just firm. It's important not to overcook them. The goal is for the eggs to be smooth and silky.
To prevent water from dripping onto the eggs from the steam, a plate is often placed on top of the bowl. This keeps the finished dish looking nice and smooth.
Cooking Time
If you are using four eggs, it usually takes about 10 minutes to cook them with water. If you use chicken broth instead, it might take a little less time, around 7 minutes. Remember, this time is after the water in the steamer has already started boiling!
Other Ways to Cook It
Besides steaming, you can also cook this dish using other methods. It can be made in a microwave or a pressure cooker. These methods are usually faster. However, the texture and quality might be a bit different compared to traditional steaming.
Different Kinds of Steamed Eggs
When people make Chinese steamed eggs at home, they often add their own special touches. Some popular additions include chopped scallions, pieces of century egg, or tiny dried shrimp. These extra ingredients are mixed into the egg before it goes into the steamer.
You can also enjoy this dish with a drizzle of soy sauce on top. The taste of Chinese steamed eggs is usually savory, meaning it's salty and flavorful, not sweet like a dessert custard.
See also
In Spanish: Huevos al vapor chinos para niños
