Chawan-Mushi (Japanese Custard Soup)
- Ready In:
- 20mins
- Ingredients:
- 7
- Serves:
-
8
ingredients
- 8 raw shrimp, peel and deveined
- 8 spinach leaves, cut in 1-1/2-inch pieces
- 1⁄2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
- 8 water chestnuts, sliced
- 2 slightly beaten eggs
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
directions
- Make a small slit in each shrimp; pull tail through. Wilt spinach in hot water, drain. In each of eight 5-ounce custard cups (or Chawan-Mushi cups), please shrimp, spinach, mushrooms, and water chestnuts.
- Combine eggs, chicken broth, and salt; pour into cups; cover with foil. Set cups on rack in Dutch oven; pour hot water around cups 1 inch deep; cover to steam.
- Over medium heat, bring water slowly (that's the key) to simmering; reduce heat and cook 7 minutes or until knife inserted off center comes out clean. Top each custard with 1/2 t. soy sauce and a twist of lemon peel.
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
JackieOhNo!
Stormville, New York
I didn't start cooking until my early 20's, even though I come from a family of accomplished and admired home cooks. While I grew up watching my Italian grandmother in the kitchen, I remained uninterested in trying anything on my own. As a young lady, I was known for being particularly ignorant in the kitchen, with no idea how to even make a hot dog! All this changed, however, when I got engaged. I realized it was time to let my inherent talents out of the bag. At the time, the New York Times had a weekly column called The 60-Minute Gourmet by Pierre Franey. Each week, I would follow these recipes diligently, and taught myself to cook that way. From there, I began to read cookbooks and consult with relatives on family recipes. At my ripe old age now, I feel I know enough to put together a very pleasing meal and have become accomplished in my own right. Having an Irish father and an Italian mother, I'm glad I inherited the cooking gene (and the drinking one too!). One thing I have learned is that simpler is always better! I always believe cooking fills a need to nurture and show love. After being widowed fairly young and living alone with my dog and cats, I stopped cooking for awhile, since I really had no one to cook for. I made care packages for my grown son occasionally, and like to cook weekly for my boyfriend, so I feel like I am truly back in the saddle!!