Ingredients 1 cup beaten egg 1 cup water 1 cup fresh milk 100g (4 oz) rock sugar

Method 1) Add fresh milk to the beaten egg gradually. 2) Dissolve rock sugar in 1 cup of water (SFF: achieved by boiling both items together over a stove). 3) Cool the sugar syrup. 4) Gradually mix the sugar syrup into the egg mixture and drain. (SFF: I wasn't sure what she meant by "drain" here but I took it to mean that she wanted us to pass the mixture through a sieve) 5) Divide mixture into 4 rice bowls. 6) Steam over gentle heat in a bamboo steamer for about 25 minutes or until set. 7) Serve hot.

Tips from the author:

Recipe taken from this book

SFF's Notes

• Recipe adapted slightly from the book above where it goes by the name "Steamed Milk Custard".
• To purchase your own copy, go to : http://www.66emart.com/en/product/item/16/product_detail.html
• The website lists all the recipes in the book - classic Hong Kong snacks & desserts.
• I thought it sounded strange that one of the tips stated that water vapour is to be avoided during the steaming process.
• My translation of that bit is that the cling film prevents condensed water droplets from falling into the bowl which could result in a custard that's too watery and with pock-marks on the custard's smooth surface.
• I added some ginger juice (pound a thumb-sized bit of ginger to extract the juice) to my custard just before eating for an added zing.
• Ginger helps to alleviate cold symptoms and has a tummy-warming comfort food effect.
• I used about 95 g of sugar instead but it was still just a little too sweet for me. Will try again with 85g of sugar the next time and keep tweaking it to my taste.