Steam Egg With Minced Pork: Cooking Perfection

Steamed egg with minced pork is a popular dish in Chinese and Taiwanese homes. It is a comforting, delicious, and quick meal that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. The silky and tender egg curd is topped with crispy minced pork in a savoury gravy. The dish is also budget-friendly, taking less than 30 minutes to prepare and costing less than $5 for 3-4 servings.

How to get a silky smooth texture

To achieve a silky smooth texture for your steamed egg with minced pork dish, there are several techniques you can apply during the preparation and cooking process. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving that perfect, silky texture:

Step 1: Preparing the Egg Mixture

When whisking or beating the eggs, it is important to avoid incorporating too much air into the mixture. This is because excessive air bubbles can cause the eggs to become fluffy and less smooth. Gently whisk the eggs with water until you achieve a smooth, well-combined mixture without any lumps. You can also add a small amount of warm water to the eggs before whisking, as this can help create a smoother texture.

Step 2: Straining the Egg Mixture

After whisking the eggs, strain the egg mixture through a fine mesh strainer or a sieve. This step helps to remove any remaining lumps or foam, ensuring a smoother final product. Pass the mixture through the strainer into your steaming bowl or dish.

Step 3: Steaming Technique

When steaming the eggs, it is recommended to use a shallow, wide bowl. This allows for more even cooking and makes it easier to achieve a smooth texture. Place the bowl of eggs in your steamer, ensuring that the water level is below the bowl to prevent water from bubbling up and touching the bowl during steaming. Cover the steamer and turn on the heat.

Step 4: Controlling the Heat

For a silkier texture, it is advisable to steam the eggs over high heat for the first minute and then reduce the heat to low for the remainder of the cooking time. This initial blast of high heat helps to set the eggs, while the subsequent low heat ensures gentle cooking, promoting a smoother texture.

Step 5: Cooking Time

The cooking time may vary depending on your equipment and the shape and size of your bowl. Keep an eye on the eggs as they steam, and check for doneness by gently shaking the bowl. The eggs should have a slight wobble, similar to loose jelly, when they are done. Overcooking the eggs can lead to a less smooth texture, so it is important to keep an eye on them and adjust the timing as needed.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Once the eggs are cooked to perfection, remove them from the steamer and let them cool slightly before serving. You can garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro leaves, and a drizzle of soy sauce or sesame oil to enhance the flavour. Enjoy your silky smooth steamed eggs with minced pork!

The best type of bowl to use

The type of bowl you use will also affect the cooking time. A thick and tall ceramic bowl will prolong the cooking time compared to a thin, flat glass bowl. A heat-proof shallow bowl is also recommended to prevent water from bubbling up and touching the bowl during the steaming process.

Additionally, the shape of the bowl will impact the texture of the steamed eggs. A flat-ish bowl will result in a shorter cooking time and a thicker, taller bowl will require a longer cooking time.

It is also recommended to wrap the lid of the steamer with a cloth or plastic wrap to prevent water from dripping back onto the eggs.

How to prepare the egg mixture

Preparing the egg mixture for steamed egg with minced pork is a simple process. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need eggs, water, and a heat-proof shallow bowl. The number of eggs you use will depend on how many people you are serving and your desired egg-to-water ratio. A common ratio is 1 egg to 1.5 parts water, or you can simply add half a cup of water for every 2 to 3 eggs.

Next, crack the eggs into your bowl and add the water. Use a whisk to beat the eggs and water together until the mixture is smooth. Try not to incorporate too much air into the mixture as this can affect the texture of the final dish. You can also add a little salt to the mixture at this stage, if desired.

Once your egg mixture is smooth, you can add it to your steamer. Place the bowl containing the egg mixture into your steamer basket or rack. If you are using a bamboo or electric steamer, follow the manufacturer's instructions for set-up.

Cover the steamer and turn on the heat. The cooking time will depend on your equipment and the type of bowl you use. For example, a wider, shallower bowl will cook faster than a tall, narrow bowl. Check the eggs after 10-12 minutes by gently shaking the bowl. The eggs should have a wobble like loose jelly when they are done. If there is still liquid in the bowl, continue steaming and check again in a few minutes.

Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, remove them from the steamer and serve immediately. You can test the eggs by poking a hole with a chopstick—if no liquid comes out, they are ready to eat!

Marinating the pork

Next, in a shallow bowl, mix the ground pork with the marinade ingredients. It is important to stir the mixture in one direction until the pork is sticky and all the ingredients are well combined. You can then gently press the pork down into an oven-safe dish.

The pork should be marinated for 15-20 minutes while you prepare the egg mixture. This is a great time-saving step as you can leave the pork to absorb the flavours while you prepare the other elements of the dish.

The marinade is a great way to add a personal touch to the dish. While the basic ingredients of soy sauce, wine, and spices are essential, you can adjust the quantities and add extra ingredients to suit your taste. For example, you could add a drizzle of sesame oil or mushroom granules for extra flavour.

Cooking the meat

The process of cooking the meat for this dish varies depending on the recipe. Some recipes call for the meat to be cooked separately from the eggs and then added on top before serving, while others instruct the cook to pour the raw egg mixture over the marinated meat and steam them together.

If you are cooking the meat separately, you will need to stir-fry it until crispy and then simmer it with a sauce. To do this, heat some oil in a medium-sized skillet or wok over high heat. Add the green onion and stir a few times to release its fragrance. Next, add the pork and stir, cutting it into smaller pieces, until the surface is cooked, which should take around 2-3 minutes. Pour in the sauce and stir to mix well. Finally, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens.

If you are steaming the eggs and meat together, you will first need to marinate the meat. To do this, combine the ground pork with the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine or rice cooking wine, garlic, ginger, white pepper powder, Chinese five spice, salt, sugar, and corn starch in a shallow bowl. Stir in one direction until the pork is sticky and all the ingredients are well mixed. You can then add the raw egg mixture over the marinated meat and proceed with steaming.

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