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Xiangchun chao jidan
香椿炒鸡蛋 (xiangchun chao jidan): spring Chinese toon shoots scrambled with egg
For a few weeks each April in Shandong, Henan and Beijing, the red-tipped young shoots of the Chinese toon tree are sold in bundles at every market, and the first thing families make is this quick scramble for lunch or supper. The toon has a strong, garlicky, almost oniony perfume that turns sweet and nutty once cooked with egg. It is eaten with rice, congee or steamed buns. Suitable as part of a balanced diet, it is high in protein and very low in starch: about 190 kcal and 3 g carbohydrate per portion. The usual mistake is skipping the blanch: raw toon tastes harsh and is always scalded first. Chef's tip: chop the toon very finely and beat it into the egg before cooking, so every mouthful carries the scent.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 3
Ingredients
- 5 ½ oz young Chinese toon shoots (xiangchun)tough stems trimmed
- 5 eggslarge
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 pinch white pepper
- 1 ½ tbsp peanut or sunflower oil
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Bring a pan of water to a rolling boil. Drop in the 5 ½ oz young Chinese toon shoots (xiangchun) and blanch for 30–60 seconds, until it turns from red to bright green. Drain, rinse under cold water and squeeze dry.
3 minStep 2: Chop the toon very finely. Beat 5 eggs with ½ tsp salt and 1 pinch white pepper until smooth, then stir in the toon.
3 minStep 3: Heat 1 ½ tbsp peanut or sunflower oil in a wok or frying pan over a medium-high heat until shimmering. Pour in the egg mixture and leave it for 20 seconds until it begins to set at the edges.
1 minStep 4: Push the set egg into large, soft folds with a spatula and keep turning for 1–2 minutes, until no runny egg is left and it is just firm. Serve at once with rice or congee.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 190 kcal
- Protein
- 13 g
- Carbs
- 3 g
- Fat
- 14 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does xiangchun chao jidan take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 5 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 3 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
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