Hong Kong Style Minced Beef with Soft Boiled Egg on Rice Recipe

Minced beef: Ground beef that forms the base of the dish, providing a rich and hearty flavor.

Soft boiled eggs: Eggs cooked until the whites are set but the yolks remain runny, adding a creamy texture.

Cooked rice: The foundation of the dish, offering a neutral base that soaks up the flavorful sauce.

Soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami flavor to the beef.

Oyster sauce: Provides a deep, savory taste that enhances the overall flavor profile.

Sugar: Balances the savory elements with a touch of sweetness.

Cornstarch: Mixed with water to thicken the sauce, giving it a glossy finish.

Garlic: Adds a fragrant aroma and depth of flavor when sautéed.

Oil: Used for sautéing the garlic and browning the beef.

Water: Helps to create the sauce and cook the beef to the right consistency.

When preparing soft boiled eggs, ensure the water is at a rolling boil before adding the eggs. Use a slotted spoon to gently lower the eggs into the water to prevent cracking. After boiling for 6-7 minutes, immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath to halt the cooking process and make peeling easier. This technique ensures the yolks remain creamy and slightly runny, perfect for topping the minced beef and rice.

• minced beef - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner option and has a similar texture to minced beef.

• minced beef - Substitute with ground pork: Ground pork offers a similar fat content and flavor profile to minced beef.

• soft boiled eggs - Substitute with poached eggs: Poached eggs have a similar runny yolk and soft texture, making them a good alternative.

• soft boiled eggs - Substitute with fried eggs: Fried eggs can provide a similar richness and can be cooked to have a runny yolk.

• cooked rice - Substitute with quinoa: Quinoa is a high-protein grain that can replace rice for a healthier option.

• cooked rice - Substitute with cauliflower rice: Cauliflower rice is a low-carb alternative that mimics the texture of cooked rice.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a similar flavor.

• soy sauce - Substitute with coconut aminos: Coconut aminos is a soy-free and slightly sweeter alternative to soy sauce.

• oyster sauce - Substitute with hoisin sauce: Hoisin sauce has a similar thick consistency and sweet-savory flavor.

• oyster sauce - Substitute with mushroom sauce: Mushroom sauce can provide a similar umami flavor for a vegetarian option.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can provide a natural sweetness and a slightly different flavor profile.

• sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup offers a natural sweetness and a unique flavor.

• cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a gluten-free thickening agent similar to cornstarch.

• cornstarch - Substitute with potato starch: Potato starch can be used as a thickening agent in place of cornstarch.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor when fresh garlic is not available.

• minced garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder garlic flavor and can be used as a substitute.

• oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil is a healthy alternative with a similar cooking property.

• oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used for its high smoke point and subtle flavor.

• water - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth adds more flavor to the dish compared to plain water.

• water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used for added flavor and is suitable for vegetarians.

• Allow the minced beef mixture to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to sogginess and spoilage.
• Transfer the cooled minced beef into an airtight container. Ensure the container is clean and dry to maintain the freshness of the dish.
• Store the cooked rice separately from the minced beef in another airtight container. This prevents the rice from absorbing too much moisture and becoming mushy.
• For the soft boiled eggs, peel them and store them in a separate container. If you prefer, you can also keep them unpeeled to maintain their texture better.
• Label each container with the date of preparation. This helps you keep track of how long the food has been stored and ensures you consume it while it's still fresh.
• Place all containers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the dish within 3-4 days. Ensure the refrigerator is set to a temperature below 40°F (4°C) to keep the food safe.
• If you wish to store the dish for a longer period, consider freezing. Place the minced beef and cooked rice in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• For best results, do not freeze the soft boiled eggs as their texture can become rubbery. Instead, prepare fresh soft boiled eggs when you are ready to serve the dish.
• When reheating, thaw the minced beef and cooked rice in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the minced beef in a pan over medium heat until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Reheat the cooked rice in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water to restore its moisture.
• Prepare fresh soft boiled eggs by boiling them for 6-7 minutes, then cooling them in cold water before peeling and serving.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the minced beef and rice in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small corner open for steam to escape.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. For the soft boiled egg, place it in a bowl of hot water for about 1-2 minutes to warm it up without overcooking.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. In a non-stick pan, add a small amount of oil and heat over medium-low heat.
  2. Add the minced beef and rice to the pan, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  3. Cover the pan with a lid and let it heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. To reheat the soft boiled egg, place it in a bowl of hot water for 1-2 minutes.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the minced beef and rice in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil.
  3. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
  4. Warm the soft boiled egg by placing it in a bowl of hot water for 1-2 minutes.

• Steamer Method:

  1. Place the minced beef and rice in a heatproof dish that fits into your steamer.
  2. Steam over boiling water for about 10-15 minutes, or until thoroughly heated.
  3. Reheat the soft boiled egg by placing it in a bowl of hot water for 1-2 minutes.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the minced beef and rice in an air fryer-safe dish.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Warm the soft boiled egg by placing it in a bowl of hot water for 1-2 minutes.

• Pan: Used for cooking the minced beef and sauces.

• Pot: Used for boiling the eggs.

• Rice cooker: Convenient for cooking rice according to package instructions.

• Spatula: Useful for stirring and mixing ingredients in the pan.

• Measuring spoons: Needed for measuring soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and cornstarch.

• Measuring cup: Used for measuring water.

• Knife: Essential for mincing garlic.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface for mincing garlic.

• Mixing bowl: Useful for mixing cornstarch with water.

• Tongs: Handy for carefully adding and removing eggs from boiling water.

• Slotted spoon: Useful for removing eggs from boiling water and transferring them to cold water.

• Bowl: Used for placing eggs in cold water after boiling.

• Serving spoon: Needed for serving the minced beef over the cooked rice.

• Plate: For serving the final dish.

Prep ingredients ahead: Mince garlic and measure out sauces before starting to cook.

Cook rice in advance: Use a rice cooker to have cooked rice ready while you prepare other components.

Batch cook beef: Cook extra minced beef and freeze portions for future meals.

Quick boil eggs: Use an egg cooker to save time on soft boiling eggs.

Use pre-minced garlic: Save time by using store-bought minced garlic instead of mincing it yourself.