19 Japanese Savoury Custard Recipe Ignite Your Passion For Cooking!
Published on: Mar 26, 2024
If you're a fan of Japanese cuisine, then you've probably heard of the popular dish, savory custard or chawanmushi. This traditional Japanese dish is a delicate and flavorful steamed egg custard, often served as an appetizer or side dish. While it may seem intimidating to make at home, it's actually quite simple and can be easily customized with your favorite ingredients. In this article, we'll break down the steps to making a delicious Japanese savory custard, so you can impress your family and friends with your culinary skills.
To make a basic chawanmushi, you'll need just a few key ingredients that are easily available at your local Asian grocery store. These include eggs, dashi (Japanese soup stock), soy sauce, and mirin (a sweet rice wine). You can also add in other ingredients such as shiitake mushrooms, bamboo shoots, shrimp, or chicken to enhance the flavor and texture of your custard.
Preparing the Custard
To start, you'll need to make the dashi by boiling water with kombu (dried kelp) and bonito flakes (dried fish flakes). Once the broth is ready, strain it and set it aside. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, soy sauce, and mirin. Gradually add in the dashi while stirring the mixture. This will create a smooth and flavorful base for your custard.
Preparing the Ingredients
Next, prepare your other ingredients by lightly sautéing them in a pan. You can also blanch them in hot water for a few minutes to soften them. This will ensure that they are cooked through when added to the custard.
Assembling and Steaming
Now it's time to assemble your custard. In a small heatproof bowl, place your cooked ingredients at the bottom and pour the egg mixture over them. Gently mix the ingredients together to ensure they are evenly distributed. Then, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in a steamer. Steam for about 15 minutes or until the custard is set. You can check by inserting a toothpick in the center – if it comes out clean, your custard is ready.
Enjoying Your Savory Custard
Once your custard is done, remove it from the steamer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. You can enjoy it warm or at room temperature, garnished with green onions, sesame seeds, or shichimi togarashi (a Japanese spice blend). The silky texture and savory flavors of the custard make it a perfect appetizer or side dish for any Japanese meal.
Now that you know the basics of making a savory custard, feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to make it your own. With its delicate balance of textures and flavors, this traditional Japanese dish is sure to become a favorite in your household. So why not give it a try and impress your guests with your homemade Japanese savory custard?
