Many people make the Chinese Steamed Egg Pudding as a sweet version of Chinese steamed egg dessert. Besides, it is a very popular and delicious dessert amongst all ages and extremely easy to make. In Hong Kong, you can find this well-liked dessert in Chinese dessert houses. Whereby, they often tagged this Chinese steamed egg pudding as “dessert for beautiful skin”. Because egg and milk are good for the skin.
Versatility of Chinese Steamed Egg Dishes
All Chinese steamed egg dishes are a traditional Cantonese dish. Moreover, they can either make them sweet as a dessert or savoury as a dish. We commonly refer this steamed egg as water egg or egg custard. Besides, we prepare steamed egg by beating the eggs well and adding water. Then we will steam the eggs in a wok or steamer pot. Resulting in a smooth, silky and slightly wobbly consistency resembling soft silky tofu.
Whereas for the savoury steamed egg dishes, we add ingredients like minced meat, usually pork or chicken and prawns. Other vegetarian versions of savoury steamed egg dishes use ingredients like shiitake mushrooms, century eggs and salted duck eggs.
In addition, Chinese steamed egg pudding is a highly versatile dessert. When we serve it hot, it is a perfect comfort dessert. And we can also serve cold if preferred. Traditionally, we make steamed egg pudding with eggs, milk, sugar and water. Whereas, for my gluten free Chinese steamed egg pudding recipe. I am using eggs, lite coconut milk, water, agave syrup and maple syrup. This recipe is also vegetarian, corn free, dairy free, nut free, soy free and refined sugar free.
You may also like my other egg recipes:
- Braised Pork and Hard Boiled Eggs;
- How to make Hard Boiled Eggs;
- Braised Chicken and Hard Boiled Eggs with Mushrooms; and
- Prawns and Eggs Fried Brown Rice.
History and Versatility of Eggs
The consumption of eggs began since the beginning of human kind, nearly 6 million years ago. Farmers domesticated Chicken (Gallus domesticas) in India in 3200 BC and in China in 1400 BC. They farmed chicken for their meat and eggs. Whereas traders and travelers first introduced chicken eggs to other parts of the world around 800 BC or later. To countries like West Asia, Egypt and Europe. Also, chicken eggs are the greatest common everyday food and the utmost versatile cooking ingredient.
Furthermore, we can include chicken eggs in sweet or savoury dishes. We can cook eggs by frying, hard-boiling, soft-boiling, poaching, scrambled, or made into omelettes and pickled. Likewise, we consider eggs as high in protein. Cooked eggs protein are almost 2 times more absorbable as protein in raw eggs. Additionally, we use eggs as a binding agent or thickener in baking for cakes, breads and in custards.
Nutritional Values of Eggs
The humble eggs are one of the most nutritious food in the word, they contain essentials vitamins and minerals. Nonetheless, eggs are an exceptional source of affordable and high quality protein with all the 9 “essential” amino acids. Likewise, eggs are a rich source of vitamins and minerals. They include vitamin A, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin B12, selenium and phosphorus. They are also a good source of vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, iodine, iron, calcium and zinc.
Many producers of eggs enrich them with Omega-3 fatty acids. While Egg yolks contain lecithin, a composite commonly used as an emulsifier in recipes like mayonnaise or hollandaise sauce. In addition, eggs contain choline that support heart health and carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin that promote healthy eye sights.
Health benefits of Eggs
Health benefits of eggs may include:
- Lower risks of cardiovascular diseases and stroke;
- Boosts the body’s immune system; support healthy bones;
- Prevention of congenital defects like spina bifida during pregnancy;
- Reduce risks of age-related macular degeneration, cataract and Alzheimers disease;
- Aid in weight management; promote healthy skin; and
- Assist in maintaining healthy central nervous system.
Although, many consider eggs as high in cholesterol, most of the fats in eggs are unsaturated fats. Furthermore, if you do not have egg allergy, consuming them in moderation with a balanced diet. Will result in higher levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. Select eggs that are from organic or free-range chickens. Finally, store eggs in the refrigerator for up to one month or by the best before date.
Chinese Steamed Egg Pudding
Ingredients
- 4 extra large eggs
- 125 ml ½ cup lite coconut milk
- 250 ml 1 cup water
- 3 tablespoons agave syrup
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon dried goji berries
Instructions
- In large bowl, beat all the eggs with a fork gently until combined.
- Then add in the lite coconut milk, water, agave syrup and maple syrup and whisk gently until well combined.
- Strain the egg mixture through a fine sieve. Repeat for 3 times. This is to remove bubbles and impurities for silky smooth eggs.
- Gently pour the egg mixture through a fine sieve into 4 ramekins or small bowls, up to ¾ full. Remove any bubbles or foams with a small spoon.
- Cover the ramekins or small bowls tightly with cling wrap or foil to prevent uneven egg surface from water vapour during steaming.
- Place a steaming rack in a wok half filled with water, cover with lid and bring to a rolling boil.
- Steam in the preheated wok for around 20 minutes or until eggs are cooked on medium low heat. You can use any type of steamer.
- Serve immediately hot or chill in the refrigerator if serving cold.
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