J. Kenji López-Alt - Stir-Fried Eggs with Tomato (Fanqie Chao Dan) | Kenji's Cooking Show
The video provides a step-by-step guide to making stir-fried tomatoes with eggs, a classic Chinese dish. The presenter explains the cultural significance of the dish, likening it to a staple like toast in Western cultures. The dish is versatile, with many variations, and the presenter shares his own method from his book, 'The Wok'. He starts by beating eggs with butter, fish sauce, and a cornstarch slurry to keep them tender. The eggs are cooked in a preheated wok to prevent sticking. The tomato sauce is made with Roma and cherry tomatoes, scallions, salt, sugar, and ketchup, which adds a unique flavor. The presenter discusses the global variations of eggs and tomatoes, emphasizing its universal appeal. The dish is quick to prepare, making it suitable for any meal, and is finished with cilantro and scallions for garnish.
Key Points:
- Stir-fried tomatoes with eggs is a simple, classic Chinese dish with cultural significance.
- The dish can be made in various ways; the presenter uses a method from his book 'The Wok'.
- Eggs are mixed with butter, fish sauce, and cornstarch slurry for tenderness and cooked in a preheated wok.
- Tomato sauce is made with Roma and cherry tomatoes, scallions, salt, sugar, and ketchup.
- The dish is quick to prepare and versatile, suitable for breakfast, dinner, and enjoyed globally.
Details:
1. 🍅 Introduction to Stir-Fried Tomatoes with Eggs
1.1. 🍅 Overview and Cultural Significance
1.2. 🥚 Ingredients Required
1.3. 🍳 Step-by-Step Preparation
2. 📜 Cultural Significance and Recipe Variations
2.1. Cultural Significance
2.2. Recipe Variations
3. 📘 Recipe Adaptation from 'The Wok' Book
- The recipe involves an innovative method of cooking tomatoes and scallions initially in water, ensuring they are well-cooked and flavorful before adding eggs.
- This approach reflects the flexible and iterative cooking methods that 'The Wok' book emphasizes, allowing for adaptations based on ingredient availability and personal taste.
- The technique highlights the importance of infusing flavors and ensuring even cooking, which are central principles in 'The Wok' book.
- By adapting the recipe from 'The Wok,' cooks can experiment with variations, such as adding different vegetables or spices, to tailor the dish to their preferences.
- The use of water as a cooking medium before adding eggs ensures a lighter, more health-conscious dish, aligning with modern dietary preferences.
4. 🥚 Preparing and Cooking the Eggs
- Begin by beating a half dozen eggs until smooth, ensuring no large chunks remain.
- Incorporate 2 tablespoons of cubed butter for added richness and flavor.
- Season with a dash of fish sauce, substituting with salt or soy sauce if preferred.
- Create a cornstarch slurry using 2 teaspoons of cornstarch and 1/4 cup of water; add half to the eggs to maintain tenderness and moisture by preventing tight binding.
- For cooking, heat a non-stick pan over medium-low heat and add the egg mixture, stirring gently and continuously until soft and creamy, ensuring even cooking without overcooking.
5. 🔥 Mastering the Wok: Achieving the Perfect Heat
- Proper preheating of the wok is crucial to prevent food from sticking, regardless of the wok's age or usage.
- A carbon steel wok is recommended for its balance of lightweight, heat capacity, and potential non-stick properties when properly preheated.
- A 14-inch flat-bottom carbon steel wok with a minimum of 16-gauge thickness (about 1.5 mm) is ideal for most home cooking needs.
- Preheating enhances the wok's non-stick capabilities by creating a thermal layer that cooks food evenly and prevents sticking.
6. 🍅 Crafting the Perfect Tomato Sauce
- Begin by preheating the wok until it's smoking hot to ensure proper cooking of ingredients.
- Lower the heat to medium-low before adding eggs, allowing them to cook partially as they'll finish cooking in the tomato sauce, enhancing texture and flavor integration.
- For optimal sauce texture, use a combination of Roma and cherry tomatoes. Roma tomatoes, rich in pectin, add body and texture to the sauce, akin to the effect of fruit pectin in jams.
- Avoid using beefsteak tomatoes for this sauce as they have a higher water content, leading to a less clingy sauce.
- While the recipe suggests using 8 to 12 ounces of tomatoes, adjust the amount based on visual assessment and desired sauce consistency.
- Consider seasoning options like basil, garlic, and oregano to complement the natural flavors of the tomatoes and enhance the overall taste profile.
7. 🌍 Exploring Global Egg and Tomato Dishes
- The combination of eggs and tomatoes is a universal culinary theme, appearing in cuisines worldwide.
- In Colombia, a similar dish is known as 'Huevos Pericos,' featuring scrambled eggs with diced tomatoes and scallions.
- Japan offers 'Tama,' a traditional dish made with tomatoes and eggs.
- In Mexico, the dish is known as 'Huevos Rancheros,' which involves eggs cooked in tomato sauce.
- Italy presents variations such as 'Uova in Purgatorio' or 'Eggs in Purgatory,' where eggs are cooked in a spicy tomato sauce.
- Turkey's equivalent is 'Menemen,' which also involves eggs cooked in tomato sauce.
- The Middle East is known for 'Shakshuka,' another dish combining eggs with a spiced tomato sauce.
8. 👨🍳 Finishing Touches and Personal Preferences
- Combining eggs with tomatoes offers a quick and flavorful dish, leveraging the umami and sweetness of tomatoes with the protein in eggs.
- Seasoning the tomato sauce with white pepper and adding cornstarch slurry enhances the texture and flavor.
- Cooking eggs separately before adding to the sauce results in distinct curd textures, while cooking them directly in the sauce creates a more integrated, soup-like consistency.
- The dish is versatile, taking only 5 to 10 minutes to prepare, suitable for both breakfast and dinner.
- Finishing touches like cilantro and scallion greens enhance flavor and presentation.
- Personal preference can vary significantly, as shown by the example of a child preferring hard scrambled eggs with ketchup.
9. 👋 Wrapping Up and Further Resources
- The video content includes a recipe for 'eggs with tomatoes,' described as simple and suitable for humans, kids, pets, and non-binary pals.
- The full article and recipe, along with bonus content, are available for free on Patreon.
- Viewers are encouraged to subscribe to the YouTube channel for more content and follow on Instagram for daily updates.
- Signed and personalized copies of books like 'The Food Lab,' 'The Wok,' and 'Every Night is Pizza Night' are available for purchase.
- Links to all resources and tools used in the video are provided in the description.