Steamed Green Curry & Shrimp Custards

Love of Steamed Savory Custard – Part II

Please refer to the previous post for the basic recipe. This time we tweaked it and came up with something that pleasantly surprised us. We used half of the coconut milk in the original recipe and substituted light cream. We also added a teaspoon of Thai Green Curry paste to the milk infusion.

So here is my lovely bamboo steamer which is the optimal vessel for steaming this custard as it absorbs excess moisture and prevents condensation from dripping on the food. It sits atop my new toy: A Viking Portable Electric Induction Cooker (I will definitely post more on this baby later).

Shrimp were cooked in olive oil with salt and pepper until just slightly underdone. Cooled and sliced into thirds horizontally. The lemongrass/ginger/green curry custard was ladled into the cups. Several shrimp slices were added, then cilantro, chives, and razor-thin sliced Serrano pepper. Since the shrimp sinks to the bottom, we held back a slice of shrimp per cup, then added it 5 minutes before the end of cooking so there would be a shrimp on top too.

The ramekins worked great yesterday but aren’t these cute dishes, lid and all? We picked them up at Mitsuwa that morning. Steam without the lid, it is just for presentation purposes. Oh, and we enjoyed this alfresco as well…lovin’ summertime!

Steamed Savory Custards

We’ve fallen in love with steamed savory custard. So much so, that we ate 3 different versions within 48 hours. This one is the Crab & Shiitake rendition. Our recipes were adapted from one we read in Martha Steward Living.

Coconut milk is infused with lemongrass and ginger: The coconut milk is brought to a simmer, chopped lemongrass and ginger are added. Removed from heat and let stand for one hour, then strained.

Lightly beaten egg yolks are combined with the cooled lemongrass ginger laced coconut milk, seasoned with salt and pepper.

The custard is poured into ramekins. Crabmeat, then shiitake slices and chives are added to the custard. The crab sinks to the bottom while the vegetables float, which makes for a lovely presentation.

The custard is cooked in a bamboo steamer until set, about 25 – 30 minutes for these 8 oz. ramekins. Steaming the custard is essential to create the delicate ethereal consistency.

We enjoyed our custards alfresco along with a fresh baked buttered baguette and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. This made for an enchanting light and elegant summer weekend brunch.

More Michael Mina

Tapioca-Crusted Snapper
Dried Fruit Basmati Rice, Chile-Lime Vinaigrette

Ahi Tartare
Pine Nuts, Mint, Ancho Chile, Sesame Oil

Our waiter, Bryan, prepares the Ahi Tartare for us.

Apropos of earlier in the evening when we attended a Red Dress Gala in support of Women’s Cardiac Care, Bryan shapes the tuna into a heart.

Spinach Soufflé, Parmesan Cream

Roasted Marrow Bones

Passion Fruit Panna Cotta
Lemongrass Consommé, Coconut Sorbet

I think I’ll just let the photos speak for themselves.
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a luxury resort that has come to reflect the dynamic environment that surrounds it — where sun-washed stone and bright green cottonwoods rise up to meet the pale-blue sky and majestic purple mountains. But it tops my list for these reasons:  Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak Restaurant and my absolute favorite amenity,  a copy of his cookbook in every suite! Now that’s my kind of bedtime story 🙂
A special thank you to Mandy, Rachel, Jana and Laura for an enchanted evening…
…cheers girls, YAY for Pink Champagne AND a good cause!

Evelyn Dawn’s Salmon, THE RECIPE

Hi Lori Lynn
I hope this does it.
Ingredients:
  • Salmon
  • Flour
  • Eggs
  • Hash Brown Potatoes
  • Flat Leaf Italian Parsley
  • Salt and Pepper
Cut Salmon on a bit of an angle into 3.5 ounce portions. Dust in Flour. Dip in Egg. Roll in Hash Browns to which you have added Salt and Pepper and coarsely chopped Italian Parsley. Put aside.
Lemon Dill Sauce:
  • 3 cups White Wine
  • Juice of two Lemons and their Zest
  • 1/2 cup of chopped Shallots
  • One bunch of chopped Fresh Dill
  • 1 cup unsalted Butter
Heat first four ingredients in a sauce pan. Reduce by 1/3. When reduced, strain and slowly add 1 cup of all melted butter. This is your sauce. Keep warm.
The Salmon is pan sauteed in Olive Oil on one side, flipped and then put into a 450 degree oven for 7-10 minutes depending on how you like it cooked.
The Salmon is served pan Roasted Side up…on top of Zucchini, Yellow Squash and Carrots that have been sautéed in olive oil and Mirin (can be found in all Asian markets).
For plating…Vegetables on the bottom, Salmon on top, coat with Lemon Dill Sauce and a dash of fresh Lemon Juice. Garnish with Flat Leaf Parsley.
Enjoy!
Or you can come to Gina Lee’s Bistro in Redondo Beach and we’ll do the dishes.
Gina Lee