Introduction: In the eyes of nutritionists and in the hearts of housewives alike, eggs are one of the finest ingredients. Not only are they nutritious, but they are also a "versatile ingredient" suitable for various cooking methods such as steaming, boiling, stir-frying, and pan-frying. However, what are the tips for cooking eggs?
For boiled eggs, simmering for 3 minutes is perfect. The egg should be placed in cold water, brought to a boil over low heat, then simmered on low heat for 3 minutes after the water boils. Turn off the heat and let it soak for another 5 minutes. This method results in tender egg whites, a set but not overcooked yolk, optimal protein denaturation, and easy digestibility. In contrast, eggs boiled for more than 10 minutes not only become tough in texture but also suffer significant vitamin loss, and the protein becomes harder to digest.
Beer-Boiled Eggs
For scrambled eggs, add two "secret ingredients" when beating the eggs. By adding these two ingredients while whisking the egg mixture, you can easily make perfect scrambled eggs. The first is cooking wine; this not only allows you to use less oil but also makes the eggs more tender and flavorful. The other secret is water. Add water to the eggs when beating them, then mix well. Pour the mixture into a pan and stir-fry over low heat. The scrambled eggs will have a particularly tender texture and are less likely to stick to the pan. For every 5 eggs, use about 5 grams of cooking wine and 50 grams of water.
For steamed egg custard, adding a little milk makes the texture smoother. Beat the eggs in a bowl, then slowly add a moderate amount of warm water while whisking, until a layer of about 1 cm of foam forms on the surface of the egg mixture. Note: do not whisk vigorously, as this will create excessive foam, causing the water and custard to separate after steaming. Place the steaming bowl in the steamer only after the water has come to a boil. It's best to use medium or low heat when steaming, and about 8 minutes after the water starts boiling is generally appropriate. Seasonings like soy sauce, salt, and chopped green onions should be added after the custard is steamed. Additionally, adding a little milk during the steaming process will make the custard smoother and more nutritious.
Steamed Egg Custard with Shrimp
For poached eggs, adding a little vinegar makes them tender. Add a small amount of vinegar (not salt) to the water. Once the water is boiling, maintain a gentle simmer without a rolling boil. Crack the egg into the water and cook for 3-4 minutes, then remove it. This method yields a more tender poached egg. Savory poached eggs can be served with tomatoes, greens, etc., while sweet ones can be paired with fermented rice, red dates, goji berries, and other ingredients.
For fried eggs, adding a little flour makes the color nice. First, heat the pan and add a small amount of oil. Then, crack the egg into the pan and reduce the heat to low. After about 1 minute, when the egg white begins to set, sprinkle two small spoonfuls of hot water over the egg, immediately cover the pan with a lid, and continue to fry for another 2 minutes. This method results in a fresher, more tender, and smoother fried egg and is also safer. Furthermore, when frying eggs at high temperatures, oil can splatter. Adding a little flour to the hot oil not only prevents splattering but also gives the fried egg a better color.
Fried Eggs with Dried Shrimp
For omelets, medium heat is best for nutrition. Pour a small amount of oil into a wok, heat it over high heat, and use a spatula to evenly coat the bottom of the wok. Once the oil is hot, pour the well-beaten egg mixture along the oiled edge of the wok, circling and quickly filling in any gaps. Avoid high heat when making an omelet, as it can cause excessive nutrient loss. However, the heat shouldn't be too low either, as a longer cooking time will result in more moisture loss, making the omelet dry and affecting its texture. Therefore, medium heat is ideal for making omelets.
Scallion Omelet
Beer boiled eggs
Shrimp eggs
Shrimp leather fried eggs
Onion bouquet eggs