A new month and a new Sally's Baking Challenge is upon us! Today I'm sharing a preview of the August 2020 Baking Challenge as well as reviewing the July Baking Challenge (Fresh Berry Cream Cake). Come see all your lovely cake creations. A winner for July has been selected, too. It's all happening in today's new blog post.
We are giving away $500 CASH for you to put towards your dreams! We know our Steamy Kitchen family loves these giveaways and we wanted to do something fun for you to think about what you are dreaming for!
We love this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt below! We are a strong supporter in truly believing in the beauty of dreaming and taking action to make dreams come true in our reality.
What is one dream that you could use an extra $500 to put towards? Travelling somewhere new, launching a new business, treating yourself like a queen or king? We want to know (pssst.. there will be a place to tell us your dreams as a bonus entry question!)
Our favorite Vanilla Buttercream Frosting! This American buttercream recipe is creamy, fluffy, and has just the right amount of sweetness. It pipes beautifully on Vanilla... Read More
Let’s talk about boiled eggs! Boiled eggs are one food you either love or dislike; no in-betweens. The best part about boiled eggs, however, is their versatility. They can be incorporated in any dish as a protein source, eaten with a salad, or eaten alone.
Boiled eggs are also an excellent solution for those mornings you need a simple yet nutritious on-the-go breakfast. If you are late for work and don’t have time to make cereal, you can grab your boiled eggs and leave the house. Some people prefer their eggs cold while some like them warm. Whichever the case, boiled eggs are delicious, simple to make, and nutritious.
Someone just cringed on the easy to make part! Yes, boiled eggs are easy to make. Surprisingly a lot of people find it a demanding task because they can’t seem to estimate the time it takes to boil eggs. In this article, we will look at everything you need to know about boiling eggs and preserving them for future use. Take a look!
Can You Freeze Hard Boiled Eggs?
Boiled eggs come through when you need a quick meal to grab on the go. They provide high amounts of proteins that will supply energy for long hours. So, can you make boiled eggs in bulk and freeze them? Yes and no. You can freeze boiled eggs but not the whole egg. While the egg yolk can be frozen for up to 1 month, eggs whites cannot. Egg whites become sticky or rubbery when frozen making them inedible, which is quite a waste. You, therefore, need to separate the yolk from egg white before freezing. Sounds complicated? Worry not as we have dedicated a whole section of the article to teach you how to preserve hard-boiled eggs.
Making Boiled Eggs
A boiled egg is simply an egg that has been boiled in water with the shell intact for boiling purposes. You can also prepare boiled eggs by steaming (this might take forever for a hard-boiled egg.) Boiled eggs can be made from any egg though we usually use chicken eggs. You can either boil your eggs to soft boiled or hard-boiled eggs. Soft boiled eggs are basically runny. The yolk, in most instances, is left runny, and the egg white may be solid or soft. A hard-boiled egg is an exact opposite; hard yolk and solid egg white.
Whichever eggs you prefer, the preparation method is straightforward, so you can enjoy your eggs whichever way you like. Hard-boiled eggs have a longer shelf life, especially when appropriately preserved. You can always leave your hard-boiled eggs at room temperature and consume them the next day.
How Do You Make Hard-Boiled Eggs?
Making boiled eggs has never been simpler, thanks to advanced inventions. Instant pots and crockpots are very fast and come handy in boiling eggs in bulk. They are a great idea to save time and make work easier and more convenient. So, if you intend to freeze the eggs, hard-boiled eggs are the best options. Here is a general step by step guide on how to make hard-boiled eggs. There are many ways of boiling eggs, so don’t think you are wrong if you use a different method. Take a look!
What you need
• Eggs (depending on how many you want to prepare)
• A large saucepan
• Cover lid
• Timer
Directions
i. Place your eggs in the large saucepan carefully not to break them.
ii. Cover the eggs with water up to an inch over the top of the eggs.
iii. Cover the saucepan with the cover lid and let the water come to a rolling boil.
iv. Once the water is boiling as needed, start the timer. Also, allow your eggs to boil at medium heat.
v. Boil your eggs for 9-10 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.
vi. Remove from heat and uncover.
vii. Allow the eggs to cool. You can even remove the eggs from the hot water and transfer to cold water to stop further cooking if you will not be consuming them immediately.
viii. Serve your hard-boiled eggs and enjoy!
Guide To Perfect The Timing
The boiling time varies depending on what kind of eggs you prefer. Here is a short guideline about the time to be taken for each egg.
• 5 minutes- the egg white will set, but the yolk remains runny. This is the perfect boiling time for eggs to be used for dipping.
• 6 minutes- the yolk remains liquids but not as runny.
• 7 minutes- the egg is almost set but not as firm. The center remains creamy while the white is smooth.
• 8 minutes- soft egg where the egg white and the yolks are softly firm. This is how you prepare boiled eggs for scotched eggs.
• 10 minutes- hard-boiled egg. The parts are both solid and mashable, but the egg is not dry and chalky.
There is no foolproof way of making hard-boiled eggs, but there are tips that will ensure you get perfect hard-boiled eggs no matter the method of boiling your use;
• If your eggs are too small or too large, adjust the boiling time with 30seconds.
• Scoop the hard-boiled into cold water when they are done to stop further cooking. Keep replacing the water to keep the eggs cold.
• Ensure the eggs are at room temperature before boiling them to reduce the chances of cracking. You can also use a picker to make a small hole on the head of the egg.
• Slowly lower the egg into the water using a spoon instead of dropping them to avoid cracking. Add water very carefully to avoid creating pressure on the eggs.
Storing and Freezing Hard-Boiled Eggs
You can store your eggs peeled or unpeeled without affecting their shelf life. You can always boil eggs in bulk and peel them all to make your work easier on these rush Mondays. Hard-boiled eggs have a better refrigeration life than soft boiled eggs. You can simply put your hard-boiled eggs in a bowl, egg cover, or fridge dishes and toss them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Eggs do not do very well in the freezer. However, if you have run out of options, ensure you remove the yolks from the rest of the eggs. Yolks freeze so well ad can stay fresh for eve 6 months. Ensure you put the yolks in a freezer bag or freezer-friendly container.
Are Hard-Boiled Eggs Healthy?
Hard-boiled eggs are very healthy. They may be small, but they pack all essential nutrients, including proteins, vitamin E and folates, and minerals such as potassium, zinc, and iron.
Conclusion
Feeling more confident about making some hard-boiled eggs? You can use hard-boiled eggs for egg salads, pasta salad, on toast, pickled eggs, deviled eggs, and many more dishes. Th key to making the perfect hard-boiled eggs is timing! Try today, and let us know how it goes!
Chicken Piccata is an easy one-pan chicken dinner in a light lemon sauce. Watch the video tutorial below and this may just become your new... Read More
Oyster sauce is everything you need for your stir fry, meat dishes, or that Chinese dish you are trying to bring to life! Did you know that oyster sauce delivers umami goodness for days? The sauce is the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
You probably already know that oyster sauce is made from oysters, but the process is more interesting. The mollusks are first cooked in water by simmering until some sort of soup is achieved. The soup is then strained to remove the mollusks and then cooked in sugar and salt until it caramelizes into a dark brown syrup. Now you know why the sauce is dark brown. Technology has also seen many other ways of making this sauce arise, like using salt and sugar as a base and thickening it with some corn starch. Instead of real oysters, you can also use oyster extract or essences to simplify the process. Oyster sauce for vegans, on the other hand, is made using oyster mushrooms for a similar fantastic flavor.
The sauce also adds a very distinct flavor to food, challenging to find in other sauces. Since oysters are mostly used in Chinese dishes, they are not readily available and maybe a bit expensive compared to typical sauces. Besides adding the sauce to dishes, you can also use it as a dip or topping for the salty flavor.
What happens if you don’t have oyster sauce and your spicy Sichuan or kung pao shrimps calls for oyster sauce? Worry not because that’s not the end of your cooking. Don’t toss your food just yet because several perfect oyster sauce substitutes will provide the same flavor and color to the dish. These substitutes also come through if you have never heard of oyster sauce or are not a fan of oyster sauce. So, what are some oyster sauce substitutes?
Substitute For Oyster Sauce
When looking for a substitute for the oyster sauce, you need to pay attention to the flavor and the dark caramelized color.
1. Soy sauce
Soy sauce is the best substitute for oyster sauce you will come across. Soy sauce has a great balance of salt and sugar, where the flavor is concerned. Soy sauce is relatively salty, but oyster has more sugar. You will have to add half a tablespoon of sugar to every tablespoon of soy sauce to match the sweetness of the oyster sauce.
The two sauces are also very similar in color. They both add a dark brown color to the dish. However, soy sauce lacks in the thick texture of oyster sauce but compensates with the umami flavor. You can also use the same measurements of oyster sauce the recipe needs. Soy sauce is a vegan-friendly substitute for oyster sauce.
2. Sweet soy sauce
This is just an Indonesian variation of soy sauce that is sweeter but carries the same umami goodness. The sweet soy sauce is as salty as oyster sauce and also sugary. It’s a viable option if you want to skip on adding brown sugar to your regular soy sauce to achieve the sugary flavor of oyster sauce. Sweet soy sauce has the same color and flavor that you will not even feel the difference. Ensure you use it sparingly because of the high sugar content.
3. Fish sauce
The first similarity fish and oyster sauces have is that they are both made from sea creatures. Oyster sauce is made from oysters, while the fish sauce is made from dried or raw fish that has been fermented. The fermentation happens in a wooden box that is pressurized to create the fishy juices.
Fish sauce is similar to the oyster sauce inconsistency. It’s also dark brown to add the same vibrant color to all your dishes. Fish sauce is also savory as the fish is heavily salted before fermenting. The only difference is the fishy smell that comes with the fish sauce. You can mix it up with another sauce like Worchester or hoisin to mask the sharp smell.
You can also use the sauce in the same measurements as the oyster sauce amount the recipe calls for or reduce the measures if you are afraid of the smell and fishy flavor. The good thing is fish sauce is locally available in your nearby grocery store.
4. Hoisin sauce
Hoisin is a Cantonese word, meaning seafood. Hoisin sauce is typical in Asian cuisines. It’s also referred to as pecking sauce or Chinese barbeque sauce. Hoisin sauce has an equal measure of sweetness and salty creating a perfect balance. It can be used in the same measure your recipe requires to follow your recipe step by step to the end. It can be used for glazing, dipping, or marinating dishes.
Hoisin sauce can also be combined with soy sauce in a 1:1 ratio if you have both condiments. The combo checks all the boxes when you are looking to substitute oyster sauce, of course, except for the lack of oysters!
5. Mushroom sauce
Mushroom sauce is referred to as the vegetarian soy sauce. It’s an excellent substitute for oyster sauce, given the flavor and color. It’s made by combining different mushrooms with some vegetable proteins and some salt to create the umami flavor.
6. Mushroom soy sauce
The sauce also makes an excellent substitute for oyster sauce. The sauce is made by fermenting some mushrooms with soybeans. The mushrooms contribute to the deep flavor, while soybeans add the savory and deep brown color. The sauce is an excellent alternative for vegans and vegetarians.
How To Make Oyster Sauce at Home
You can always make some oyster sauce at home, though do expect it to be as good as a ready-made sauce. All you need is some oysters, oyster essence, salt and oyster sauce to give it flavor.
i. Drain your oysters from the shucked oysters and keep the liquid aside.
ii. Mince the drained oysters.
iii. Add some water to the minced oysters. Add back the liquid you kept aside to add flavor.
iv. Bring the mixture to a boil then allow it to simmer for 10 minutes.
v. Remove the mixture from the heat and add some salt and brown sugar. Allow it to cool.
vi. Sieve the mixture to remove the oysters.
vii. Add two-three tablespoons of light soy sauce for every half a cup of the mixture.
viii. Add dark soy sauce to add color. Add half a tablespoon for every cup of mixture.
ix. Allow the mixture to simmer with the added soy sauce for about 10 minutes.
Conclusion
Don’t cancel out on the recipe because of oyster sauce. With the oyster sauce substitutes we have discussed, you will enjoy the same great benefits as when using the oyster sauce. You can also make your oyster sauce at home with simple ingredients. Try out these substitutes anytime and enjoy a delicious dish.
If you spend any time on Pinterest or Instagram food searches, and who that hangs out here does not, I bet at least once in the last couple years, your Explore tab led you to the photogenic, decadent world of chocoflans. If not, let this post fix your suggestions right now. Chocoflans, sometimes called impossible flan (pastel imposible), are one part flan (a sweetened egg custard with caramel or dulce de leche) and one part plush chocolate cake. They’re considered a bit magical, not only because they combine two of the most wonderful desserts in the world, but because of what happens in the oven. Even though it goes into the oven with the cake batter in first and the flan in second, as it bakes, the batters flip. Once you invert it out of the baking pan, you end up with the flan on top and the cake underneath. I’ve read that this is because the cake, as it rises in the oven, becomes lighter than the flan layer, so the flan sinks and I, a non-scientist, based on little more than liking the sound of it, have concluded that it makes total sense.
If you spend any time on Pinterest or Instagram food searches, and who that hangs out here does not, I bet at least once in the last couple years, your Explore tab led you to the photogenic, decadent world of chocoflans. If not, let this post fix your suggestions right now. Chocoflans, sometimes called impossible flan (pastel imposible), are one part flan (a sweetened egg custard with caramel or dulce de leche) and one part plush chocolate cake. They’re considered a bit magical, not only because they combine two of the most wonderful desserts in the world, but because of what happens in the oven. Even though it goes into the oven with the cake batter in first and the flan in second, as it bakes, the batters flip. Once you invert it out of the baking pan, you end up with the flan on top and the cake underneath. I’ve read that this is because the cake, as it rises in the oven, becomes lighter than the flan layer, so the flan sinks and I, a non-scientist, based on little more than liking the sound of it, have concluded that it makes total sense.
