Egg Custard with Clams
Try your hand at this impressive dish from Bonnie’s in New York City.
20 Minutes
2-4 Servings
Medium
eggs | shellfish | Chinese
Steamed egg custard is a popular Chinese dish that can be eaten at any time of day. The addition of clams adds a pleasant contrast in texture from the soft, silky eggs. This is a great use for
homemade black bean garlic sauce
, so if you haven’t already made it, here’s yet another incentive. This recipe is courtesy of Chef Calvin Eng of
Bonnie’s
in Brooklyn.
You will need a fine mesh strainer, ideally cone-shaped, a bamboo steamer, and a metal tray with at least a 1-inch edge for this recipe.
Ingredients
8
littleneck clams, washed
4
eggs
Water as needed
1
teaspoon salt
1/2
teaspoon MSG
3
tablespoons black bean garlic sauce, store bought or homemade
1
scallion, sliced
1
tablespoon cilantro, chopped
2
tablespoons neutral oil
1
teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
STEP 1
Steam the clams in a bamboo steamer for about 10 minutes. You want the clams to be just cracked open. Discard any that are still closed. Give them a rinse to make sure all the sand is out.
STEP 2
Strain clam liquor using a fine mesh strainer and coffee filter to remove any sand and set aside.
STEP 3
Beat the eggs until fluffy and uniform and pour into a measuring cup.
STEP 4
Using the volume of eggs, multiply the water by 1 ½ to determine the proper ratio of water to egg mixture.
STEP 5
Add salt and MSG to the mixture and pass through a fine mesh strainer.
STEP 6
Add clams into a metal plate with an edge of at least 1-inch edge. Pour the custard into the plate.
STEP 7
Remove all visible bubbles with a spoon and tightly wrap with plastic wrap.
STEP 8
Bring a steamer set up to a boil and steam for 8-9 minutes until custard has fully set. Allow to rest for 1 minute before removing plastic wrap.
STEP 9
STEP 10
Drizzle the
black bean garlic sauce
all over the clams and scatter the scallion and cilantro on top.
STEP 11
Drizzle the smoking neutral oil over the dish, making sure to hit the herbs until they sizzle.
STEP 12
Drizzle or spritz the reserved clam liquor onto the egg custard and drizzle more sesame oil over to finish.
