Snow Traces (Snowflake Sea Cucumber)
A shaped dish crafted with egg white foam formed into a snowflake-like topping, stir-fried with ingredients including sea cucumber and chicken breast, boasting a snow-white hue and elegant, refined presentation.
Story
Inspired by the poetic imagery of its traditional Chinese name, this exquisite shaped dish showcases a pristine snow-white appearance, designed to highlight the refined aesthetic of classical Chinese culinary artistry through its delicate, elegant design.
Ingredients
sea cucumber (blanched)
to taste
chicken breast (starch-coated)
to taste
abalone
to taste
button mushroom
to taste
winter bamboo shoot
to taste
green pea
to taste
ham (cut into small ox-eye slices, starch-coated)
to taste
egg white (stretched into foamy state)
to taste
milk
to taste
salt
to taste
MSG
to taste
starch
to taste
Shaoxing wine
to taste
scallion (for oil tempering)
to taste
Instructions
1
Cutting and Starch Coating
Cut the ham into small medallion slices, then coat each pre-cut ingredient with the starch coating mixture respectively.
2
Blanching
Place water in the wok and bring to a rolling boil, blanch the ingredients briefly, then remove and set aside.
3
Stir-Frying
Place a small amount of base oil in the wok, stir-fry scallions until fragrant to release their aroma, add the blanched sea cucumber, chicken breast, abalone, button mushrooms, winter bamboo shoots, green peas, and ham, stir-fry until fully cooked, pour in Shaoxing wine, season to taste with salt and MSG, then transfer to a serving plate.
4
Making the Snowflake Topping
Whip the egg whites into a light, fluffy foam, cook the whipped egg whites until set, then add milk, salt, MSG, and starch, stir to combine until it forms a snowflake-like consistency, then pour this topping over the prepared ingredients on the plate.
5
Plating
Arrange a portion of the blanched sea cucumber, ham, shiitake mushrooms, and bok choy on top of the dish to form a mountain and water pattern, and the dish is complete.
