Tomato chawanmushi with Piccolo cherry tomato salad
- Starter
- Medium
- 4
- 60 minutes, plus 3 hours straining time for the tomato water
PT1H
PT3H
Chawanmushi is a steamed egg custard starter popular in Japan. Robert Thompson cleverly flavours his with a sweet and savoury tomato water made from Piccolo cherry tomatoes, shallot and a touch of vinegar. Served with a fresh tomato salad and plenty of herbs, this is a flavour-packed starter sure to intrigue guests.
Ingredients
- 1kg Piccolo cherry tomatoes , halved
- 4 eggs
- 125g of silken tofu
- 1 shallot , finely diced
- 50ml of white wine vinegar
- 50ml of dry white wine
- 1 handful of soft herbs, such as basil, coriander and chives, stalks removed and reserved
- 1 handful of edible flowers , (optional)
- 50ml of rapeseed oil
- Maldon salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Equipment
- Muslin cloth
- Kitchen string
- Blender
Method
First prepare the tomato water as it needs a minimum of 2.5 hours to make. Place half of the tomatoes in a bowl with half of the diced shallot, the white wine vinegar, white wine, soft herb stalks and 1 tsp of Maldon salt. Use your hands or a potato masher to mash the mixture into a pulp to extract the juices (but do not blend). Leave for 30 minutes
- 500g of Piccolo cherry tomatoes , halved
- 1/2 shallot , finely diced
- 50ml of white wine vinegar
- 50ml of dry white wine
- 1 handful of soft herbs, such as basil, coriander and chives, stalks only
- 1 tsp Maldon salt
Pour the tomato mixture into a bowl lined with a piece of damp muslin cloth or clean J cloth. Tie together with string and then hang up above the bowl for 2 hours or overnight, allowing the clear tomato water to drain out
To make the chawanmushi, measure out 250ml of the clear tomato juice in a bowl. Add the tofu, eggs and a good pinch of Maldon salt and a little freshly ground black pepper. Blend in a food processor or use a stick blender until you have a smooth mix
- 125g of silken tofu
- 4 eggs
- Maldon salt
- freshly ground black pepper
Divide the mixture into 4 ovenproof bowls or tapas dishes. If you don’t have tapas dishes use 4 wide ramekins or similar; you ideally want a larger surface area to display your tomato salad on top. Preheat an oven to 140ºC/gas mark 1
Place the dishes into an ovenproof tray and fill up with boiling water two-thirds of the way (it is easier to fill the tray with water once it is already in the oven.) Place the tray in the oven and cook for 30–45 minutes or until they just wobble in the centre
Carefully remove the dishes from the water-filled tray, leave to cool then place in the fridge to chill
Place the remaining tomatoes in a bowl with the remaining diced shallot, a good pinch of salt and pepper, the remaining tomato water and the rapeseed oil and mix well
- 500g of Piccolo tomatoes , halved
- 1/2 shallot , finely diced
- Maldon salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 50ml of rapeseed oil
Divide the mixture between each of the dishes, draining the tomatoes slightly as you go so you don’t have any liquid settling on top of the chawanmushi
Decorate the tomato salad with the soft herbs and flowers (if using) and finish with a little more of the dressing created from the tomato salad
- 1 handful of soft herbs, such as basil, coriander and chives, leaves only
- 1 handful of edible flowers , (optional)
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Tomato chawanmushi with Piccolo cherry tomato salad
