Steaming Eggs: Electric Steamer Experiment

Cooking eggs in an electric steamer is an effective way to achieve evenly cooked, tender eggs that are easy to peel. The gentle cooking method reduces the risk of cracking, and the hot steam permeates the egg shell, making it simpler to peel away. The steaming time varies depending on the consistency required, with soft-boiled eggs taking around 6 minutes, and hard-boiled eggs taking up to 15 minutes. This method is a useful alternative to traditional boiling, producing perfectly cooked eggs with minimal effort.

How long to steam eggs for

Yes, you can cook eggs in an electric steamer. The cooking time will depend on the type of egg you want. For soft-boiled eggs with a runny yolk, steam your eggs for 6 to 8 minutes. If you like your eggs a little firmer, with a nearly set yolk, steam for 9 to 11 minutes. For hard-boiled eggs, steam for 12 to 15 minutes. These timings will vary depending on factors such as the size of your eggs, the altitude of your location, and the temperature of the eggs at the start of cooking.

To cook eggs in an electric steamer, add about 1 inch of water to the steamer and bring it to a boil. Place the eggs in the steamer basket, cover, and set a timer. When your eggs are done, immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process and to ensure they are perfectly shaped. Let them rest for at least a few minutes before peeling.

The benefits of steaming eggs

Steaming eggs is a great alternative to boiling or frying them. Using a steamer basket to suspend eggs above boiling water is a gentler way to cook them, resulting in several benefits.

Firstly, steaming eggs makes them easier to peel. Some of the air from the hot steam penetrates the egg shell, creating a pocket of air that helps to separate the shell from the white. This means that even when using very fresh eggs, which can be harder to peel, steaming ensures the shell comes off easily.

Secondly, steaming eggs cooks them more evenly and gently than boiling. This results in a more tender egg white and a creamier yolk. It also means that there are fewer cracked shells and deformed eggs.

Thirdly, steaming is a more consistent and thorough cooking method. All the eggs will be cooked the same, reducing the likelihood of some being undercooked.

Finally, steaming eggs preserves most of the nutritional benefits of eggs. Eggs are a great source of lean protein, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids. They are also a powerhouse of disease-fighting nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

How to steam eggs without a steamer

Method 1: Using a Regular Pot on a Stovetop

This is the most traditional and commonly used way of steaming eggs. It takes around 15 minutes to cook and yields a smooth and silky texture. However, you must pay careful attention while using this method as the eggs may have a moon-surface-like texture if water droplets fall into the eggs or if they are over-steamed.

• Preparation: Crack 2 eggs into a bowl and beat them evenly with a whisk. Add 1 cup of chicken stock (or 1 cup of water and ⅛ tsp of salt) to a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave until it's warm. Add the warm chicken stock to the eggs and continue to beat until well combined.
• Cooking: Place a steamer rack (or roll 3 pieces of foil into balls) into a large pot. Fill the pot with 2 inches of boiling water. Place the bowl with the egg mixture on the steamer rack or on the foil balls. Loosely cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small gap between the lid and the pot to prevent the buildup of steam and pressure. Steam the eggs over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until set.
• Post-cooking: Carefully remove the bowl from the pot, and drizzle soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and chopped chives over the steamed eggs. Optionally, use a small knife to cut the steamed egg into a web-like pattern to enhance its appearance and help distribute the sauce more evenly. Serve hot.

Method 2: Oven Water Bath

This method yields a smoother texture than the stovetop method and guarantees perfect results. However, it is a time-consuming and energy-consuming method, as it requires 45 minutes of baking time for the eggs to set.

• Preparation: Follow the same preparation steps as in Method 1.
• Cooking: Cover the bowl with the egg mixture inside tightly with foil. Place the bowl into a larger baking dish. Add hot water to the baking dish until it reaches the same level as the egg mixture. Carefully transfer the baking dish into the oven. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until the egg is set.
• Post-cooking: Carefully remove the steamed egg from the water bath and remove the foil. Drizzle soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and chopped chives over the steamed eggs. Optionally, use a small knife to cut the steamed egg into a web-like pattern to enhance its appearance and help distribute the sauce more evenly. Serve hot.

Method 3: Microwave Water Bath

This method produces a less smooth texture than the other two methods but is the quickest and most convenient.

• Preparation: Follow the same preparation steps as in Method 1.
• Cooking: Cover the bowl containing the egg mixture with microwave-safe plastic food wrap. Using a toothpick or skewer, poke holes at half-inch intervals on the plastic wrap to allow steam to escape. Place the bowl into a larger microwave-safe dish. Add hot water to the larger dish until it reaches the same level as the egg mixture. Carefully transfer the baking dish into the microwave. Microwave at 50% power for 10 minutes or until the egg is set.
• Post-cooking: Take the steamed egg out of the water bath and carefully remove the plastic wrap. Wear baking mittens when handling hot dishes from the microwave as they can become very hot. Drizzle soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and chopped chives over the steamed eggs. Optionally, use a small knife to cut the steamed egg into a web-like pattern to enhance its appearance and help distribute the sauce more evenly. Serve hot.

General Tips for Steaming Eggs:

• Using warm stock or water can help prevent the formation of bubbles or foam, ensuring a smooth texture.
• Loosely cover the lid of the pot to prevent the buildup of steam and pressure, and to prevent the egg mixture from boiling over and creating an uneven surface.
• The standard egg-to-water ratio for Chinese steamed eggs is typically 1:1.5 or 1:2, depending on your preference.
• For seasoning, you can drizzle light soy sauce, sesame oil, a pinch of sugar, and some chopped chives or cilantro over the steamed egg.
• For a more flavourful dish, incorporate a soy sauce-braised ground pork topping to the eggs.
• To check if the eggs are done, gently tilt and shake the pot to see if the eggs are still liquid or have transformed into a pudding-like consistency.
• Chilling the eggs immediately after steaming ensures that they come out perfectly shaped, with no air-space indentations on their fat ends.
• Steaming eggs and peeling them under running water makes for easy, divot-free peeling almost every time.

How to peel steamed eggs

Steaming eggs is a great way to cook them gently and evenly, and it also makes them easier to peel. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to peel steamed eggs:

• Prepare your steamer by adding water to a large pot and placing a steamer insert inside. The water level should be about one inch deep, enough to last for 15 to 20 minutes of boiling.
• Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
• Carefully place the eggs in the steamer basket. It's best to use eggs straight from the fridge, and if you want to cook more than six, you may need a few extra minutes of cooking time.
• Cover the pot and continue cooking. The timing will depend on how soft or hard you like your eggs. For soft-boiled eggs, steam for about 6 minutes. For hard-boiled with a translucent yolk, steam for 10 minutes. For fully cooked hard-boiled eggs, steam for 12 to 15 minutes.
• Once the eggs are steamed to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the pot and immediately place them in a bowl of icy cold water or run them under cold water for several minutes. This stops the cooking process and helps cool the eggs.
• When the eggs are cool enough to handle, you can begin peeling. Gently tap the eggs all over to crack the shell, then remove the shell under a thin stream of running water. The water helps to get under the shell and lift it off the egg.
• Enjoy your perfectly peeled steamed eggs!

Steaming eggs is a great alternative to boiling, as it makes the eggs easier to peel and reduces the risk of cracking. The hot steam helps to loosen the egg whites from the membrane, making the peeling process much simpler. So, the next time you want easy-to-peel eggs, give steaming a try!

How to store steamed eggs

Yes, you can cook eggs in an electric steamer! Steaming is a great way to cook hard-boiled eggs, as it makes them easier to peel and less likely to crack. But what about storing steamed eggs? How do you make sure they stay fresh and safe to eat? Here are some detailed instructions on how to store your steamed eggs properly:

Cooling and Storing Unpeeled Steamed Eggs:

First, it's important to let the eggs cool down before storing them. Place the freshly steamed eggs in a bowl of cold water or an ice bath for a few minutes to expedite the cooling process. This is important because putting hot eggs directly into the refrigerator can raise the temperature of surrounding items, creating an environment where bacteria can multiply. Once the eggs are cooled, you can store them in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container or resealable bag and keep them on the middle shelf, where the temperature is most consistent. Unpeeled steamed eggs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Storing Peeled Steamed Eggs:

If you plan to peel the eggs after cooking, you'll need to store them a little differently. Start by peeling the eggs and then placing them in an airtight bag or container. To prevent the peeled eggs from drying out, place a damp paper towel inside the container. Make sure to store them on the middle shelf of your refrigerator, where the temperature is most stable. Peeled steamed eggs have a shorter shelf life than unpeeled eggs and should be consumed within 1 day.

Food Safety Tips:

It's important to handle and store your steamed eggs properly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Even fully cooked eggs should not be left at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Place the steamed eggs in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking to ensure food safety. Additionally, avoid freezing hard-boiled eggs, as this can affect the texture of the egg whites, making them tough and watery.

Frequently asked questions