We were told that Lydia liked steamed eggs. Before we traveled to China, we weren’t even sure what that meant. Do they mean hard boiled eggs? Are they in the shell? We learned what it was in China when the petite little miss totally destroyed a family-size helping of the stuff. So, I made it my mission to find a recipe for it and perfect it at home. I tried on our first day home (not recommended to do that as I was nearly comatose with jet lag and emotionally spent). My attempt was a flop. But, since then, I have figured it out (I think…I hope my Chinese friends Tony and Lily don’t read this recipe and laugh at my vain attempt at it!). I’m ready to unveil my very complicated and difficult recipe so that other mothers of Chinese children can make their children smile with a taste from home and maybe some of you mothers of American children may enjoy giving it a try as well–I mean, if you can handle how complicated this recipe is.
Mix the egg and the water very well. This is the key to my technique. Don’t skimp on the whisking, ladies. Whisk it until your wrist hurts. Add a little salt and put in a small oven-safe dish. You can add some fixins if you want to now–bacon pieces, ham, spring onion, dried mushroom–I haven’t tried this though so do so at your own risk. Put the dish in the top steamer tray of a rice cooker–also key to my technique. My attempts on the stovetop got clumpy and, well, gross.
Push “steam” on the rice cooker and let cook for about 15 minutes. Remove when it is the consistency of a custard–it reminds me of a coconut cream pie filling (not in taste, just appearance). There will be a little bit of water on the surface you can pour off (be careful not to pour your entire masterpiece into the sink though. I almost made that mistake a couple times).
No complicated recipe is complete without some photos–this one includes even some after photos because, well, because I couldn’t resist.
Thanks Kelly, I think i will try it before i leave on Friday!
Thanks for sharing! Have you tried making congee? I am wondering how difficult that is.
So will she eat regular old scrambles egg or no?…..and do your kids eat the steamed egg?
I still need to get a rice cooker and before Kate gets home let me just say ewww. I know it’s one of her favs too but custard-like eggs? Eww.
Love the pics! Looks just like her Chinese steamed eggs. I’m impressed, Kelly! She certainly did love her steamed eggs in China! What a beauty of a baby!!!!!
Strong work Kelly! What a fun post…I just may have to try this just to try it! Matthew loves eggs, so why not a little taste from China? What a good Mom you are, and another adorable shot of Lydia too!
Hey, those look just like what we had in China…you did a good job! Anna loved steamed eggs too…she likes them scramled (or in any form) now…in fact, we haven’t found a thing she won’t eat! lol Lydia is looking as cute as ever! Thanks for sharing the recipe, I might give it a try!
Interesting Kelly! But I gotta say … that really doesn’t look appetizing! LOL. Did you try it?
Great job!!! Grace won’t eat scrambled eggs, so I guess I need to try out steamed eggs. Thanks for doing the trial and errors for us. :) First things first…I need to go buy a rice cooker!
Yeah, I need a rice cooker, too! Shoot! But I must say, as impressed as I am with your persistance and your final product, they do not look appetizing to me in the least…I’m sure it’s not you, it’s me! (The things we do for our children, right?!)
We had steamed eggs too in China, at a fancy restaurant. I think they were served with green onions around the edge. Mia loved them. We don’t have a rice cooker here, so I think Mia’s stuck with good ol’ scrambled eggs and ketchup. She won’t mind; she loves her condiments! Great job on the egg. I made chicken congee a couple of times. It was OK, but never the same consistency as it was in China.
I think I’m going out to get a rice steamer this weekend. You are like the fifth blogger this week that I’ve heard from regarding the wonders of the steamer. I thought they were only for rice so I never considered it. . . But I’m hearing that’s so not the case. And I can picture all kinds of yummy, yummy concoctions of steamed eggs – both savory and sweet with this method. You got my wheels turning!
Thanks for sharing. I’ll have to learn this recipe, although it doesn’t look very appetizing.
~Anne
Read your blog (linked from RQ). Tried it. My DD loves it! (4 years old, home 7 weeks) Thanks so much for your sharing your secrets!
I found this site looking for a steamed egg recipe, and I just have to say you are seriously wonderful people.