Steam Egg With Minced Meat: A Quick, Easy Comfort Dish

Steamed egg with minced meat is a comforting and delicious dish that is simple to prepare and can be made in under 30 minutes. It is a popular dish in Taiwan and Malaysia, and every family has its own way of making it. The basic ingredients are eggs, minced meat (usually pork), and water, but some recipes also include soy sauce, wine, garlic, ginger, and scallions. The key to getting the perfect texture for the eggs is to avoid incorporating too much air while whisking them and to use a low heat while steaming. This dish is often served with rice and can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Preparing the steamer basket

Firstly, ensure you have the right equipment. You will need a pot with a lid, a steamer basket or rack that fits inside the pot, and a shallow bowl that can be placed on the steamer. The bowl should be heat-proof and shallow to ensure even cooking.

Next, fill the pot with water and place it on the stove. The amount of water will depend on the size of your pot and steamer, but ensure there is enough water to reach just below the steamer basket/rack when it is inserted. Turn on the heat and bring the water to a boil over medium heat.

While the water is heating up, prepare your egg and meat mixture. For the eggs, you can simply beat them with a whisk or fork until smooth. Some recipes suggest adding water, chicken broth, or warm water to the eggs, which can enhance their texture and flavour. For the meat, you can use minced pork, beef, chicken, or turkey. You can season the meat with various ingredients like soy sauce, wine, garlic, ginger, pepper, and corn starch. Mix the meat and seasonings thoroughly, and you can set it aside until the steamer is ready.

Once the water is boiling, carefully insert the steamer basket/rack into the pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and place the shallow bowl with your egg mixture on top of the steamer. It is important that the water does not touch the bowl; adjust the heat as needed to maintain a gentle boil. Cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small opening to release some steam.

Let the eggs steam until they are cooked through. This usually takes around 15-25 minutes, depending on your setup. To check if the eggs are done, gently shake the bowl. The eggs should wobble slightly like loose jello, and no liquid should come out if you poke a hole with a chopstick.

Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool down for a few minutes before handling. You can then serve the steamed eggs with minced meat, garnishing with spring onions or scallions, and a drizzle of sesame oil or soy sauce.

Feel free to experiment with different steaming methods and equipment, such as a bamboo steamer or electric food steamer, as this may affect cooking times and textures.

Mixing the egg and water

Once you have added the water, beat the eggs and water together until they are well combined and the mixture is smooth. Try not to incorporate too much air into the mixture as this can affect the texture of the steamed egg. You can use a whisk or a fork to do this, but be gentle and avoid creating too many bubbles.

After mixing, the egg and water mixture should be poured through a sieve or strainer into another bowl. This will help to remove any remaining bubbles and create a smoother texture. You can then add the rest of the ingredients to this mixture and combine gently.

Adding the meat

Choosing the Meat

Firstly, you can use either ground pork, chicken, turkey, or beef for this recipe. Opt for a fattier cut of meat to ensure the mince doesn't dry out during cooking. If using pork, aim for ground pork with around 20% fat.

Marinating the Meat

In a shallow bowl, combine the ground meat with your choice of seasonings and sauces. For example, you can use soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, garlic, ginger, white pepper powder, Chinese five spice, salt, sugar, and corn starch. You can adjust the spices according to your preference. Stir the mixture until the meat has absorbed all the liquid. Set it aside to marinate while you prepare the egg mixture.

Cooking the Meat

For crispy meat bits, heat a wok or a pan over high heat. Add a tablespoon of vegetable or neutral oil. Add the marinated meat and spread it across the pan, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks. Avoid stirring too much to allow the meat to brown and crisp. You can also add chopped scallions or onions to the meat and mix well before turning off the heat.

Combining Meat with Eggs

Now, it's time to combine the meat with the eggs. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with water until smooth, trying not to incorporate too much air. You can use a ratio of 2:1 for water to eggs. Then, gently pour the egg mixture through a sieve into the bowl with the marinated meat. Loosen and evenly distribute the meat within the egg mixture.

Steaming

Place a heat-proof shallow bowl containing the egg and meat mixture into a steamer basket or rack set over a pot of boiling water. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small opening, and steam for around 20 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on your setup, so check the eggs periodically. The dish is ready when the egg custard is set, and no liquid comes out when poked with a chopstick.

Serving

Once cooked, remove the bowl from the steamer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. You can drizzle sesame oil on top and serve with warm rice. Enjoy your delicious steamed eggs with minced meat!

Cooking the dish

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to cook steamed eggs with minced meat:

• Eggs
• Minced meat (ground pork, chicken, turkey, or beef)
• Water
• Seasonings (such as soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, garlic, ginger, white pepper powder, Chinese five spice, sugar, corn starch, salt, chicken bouillon powder, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, peanut oil, vegetable oil, fish sauce, chicken broth, etc.)
• Green onions/scallions for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the steamer. Ensure you have a steamer basket or rack that fits into a pot with a lid. Bring water to a boil in the pot over medium heat.

Step 2: Mix the ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix the minced meat with your desired seasonings. For a simple option, you can use soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, garlic, ginger, white pepper powder, and corn starch. Stir well and set aside. In another bowl, whisk the eggs with water until smooth. You can also add a little chicken broth or chicken bouillon powder for extra flavour.

Step 3: Combine the mixtures. Pour the egg mixture into a shallow bowl through a sieve to remove any lumps. Gently mix in the seasoned minced meat, distributing it evenly throughout the egg mixture.

Step 4: Steam the eggs. Place the bowl containing the egg and meat mixture on the steamer rack in the pot. Cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small opening to release steam. Steam the eggs over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the egg custard is set. To check if it's cooked, poke a hole with a chopstick; if no liquid comes out, it's ready.

Step 5: Cook the meat. While the eggs are steaming, you can cook the meat. Heat a wok or pan over high heat and add oil. Add the marinated meat and cook until crispy, stirring occasionally. You can also add chopped scallions or onions and garlic to enhance the flavour.

Step 6: Assemble and serve. Once the eggs are cooked, remove them from the steamer and let them cool for a few minutes. Top the steamed eggs with the cooked meat and garnish with chopped green onions or scallions. Serve hot, with warm rice on the side.

Tips for a Smooth Texture:

• When whisking the eggs, avoid incorporating too much air.
• Use a fine mesh strainer or sieve to pour the egg mixture through.
• Steam over lower heat and leave a small opening in the pot to release pressure.
• Use a wide, shallow bowl for more even cooking.

Serving suggestions

This comforting and delicious dish can be served as a breakfast, light lunch, midnight snack, or as part of a multi-course meal. It is often served with rice, but it can also be enjoyed on its own.

For a more substantial meal, serve the steamed egg with minced meat alongside other dishes such as a vegetable side, tofu, or a bowl of soup. You could also try serving it with Oysters with Ginger and Shallots, Stuffed Tofu (Yong Tau Fu), Grandma’s Braised Chicken with Mushrooms, Black Fungus and Lily Flowers, Winter Melon Stir Fry, or Pig Stomach Soup with Peppercorns.

If you're looking for a dessert to follow, try Papaya and Snow Fungus Dessert Soup!

Frequently asked questions