Nutrient-Rich Abalone Porridge with Deep Flavor from Abalone Innards
How to Cook Abalone Porridge with Abalone Innards / Golden Recipe for Abalone Innard Porridge
With precious abalone, it’s a shame to waste even the innards! Abalone porridge, simmered with plenty of fresh abalone and its rich, savory innards, is a superb nutritious meal and delicacy in itself. Its soft texture and deep oceanic flavor that fills your mouth make it the best choice when you’re feeling unwell, low on energy, or simply need a hearty meal. Here’s a special abalone porridge recipe that truly lets you enjoy the profound taste of abalone innards.
Ingredients
- 8 fresh live abalones
- 2 cups soaked glutinous rice (approx. 360ml)
- 1 tsp sesame oil (approx. 5ml)
- 2 Tbsp mirin (cooking wine)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The key to delicious abalone porridge is the fresh and abundant flavor of abalone. For a flavorful porridge, prepare 8 fresh live abalones. The more abalone you use, the richer the porridge’s flavor will be.
Step 2
Wash the glutinous rice thoroughly and soak it in water for about 30 minutes to 1 hour beforehand. Soaked rice will result in a softer, more digestible porridge.
Step 3
To remove any mud or debris clinging to the edges of the abalone shell, scrub the entire shell meticulously with a brush. Rinsing under running water is recommended.
Step 4
It’s important to remove the hard ‘teeth’ located between the abalone shell and the meat. These can be unpleasant to chew, so make sure to trim them.
Step 5
Kitchen shears are a safe and easy way to remove the abalone’s teeth. Gently pry open the shell and meat, then snip off the toothy part with the scissors.
Step 6
Separate the abalone meat from the shell, and also separate the innards (the green part) from the meat. Set the meat aside; the innards are a precious ingredient that will add deep flavor to your porridge, so keep them safe.
Step 7
Slice the separated abalone meat into bite-sized pieces according to your preference. I’ve cut mine into larger chunks to enjoy the chewy texture, but you can mince them finely if you prefer a softer consistency.
Step 8
While abalone innards have a good aroma on their own, blending them into a fine paste in a mixer will help them disperse smoothly throughout the porridge, creating a richer flavor. Blending also reduces any potential fishy smell.
Step 9
To neutralize any slight fishiness and enhance the flavor, add 2 tablespoons of mirin (cooking wine) to the abalone innards. This step will elevate the taste of your abalone porridge significantly.
Step 10
Place the separated abalone innards into a mixer and blend until finely ground. This is a crucial step for achieving a smooth porridge.
Step 11
Heat 1 teaspoon of sesame oil in a pot over medium-low heat. Add the sliced abalone meat and stir-fry lightly until it’s slightly cooked and releases a savory aroma.
Step 12
Once the abalone meat is partially cooked, add the blended abalone innards to the pot and stir-fry them together. Be careful not to burn the innards, and mix them well with the abalone meat.
Step 13
Add the pre-soaked glutinous rice to the pot. Gradually add water while stirring and stir-frying for about 2-3 minutes. This coats the rice grains with oil and innards, preventing clumping and ensuring a fluffy porridge.
Step 14
Pour enough water into the pot with the stir-fried rice, abalone, and innards (about 5 to 7 times the amount of rice). Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and stir continuously until the rice grains are tender and have broken down.
Step 15
For a quicker and easier cooking method, use a pressure cooker. Combine all ingredients, close the lid, and cook for about 20 minutes. The pressure cooker will quickly break down the rice grains, resulting in a smooth porridge. Adjust the cooking time based on your pressure cooker model and desired porridge consistency. If it’s too thin, remove the lid and simmer for a bit longer to thicken.
Step 16
Serve the deliciously cooked abalone porridge in bowls for a wonderful meal. Enjoy it warm to best experience the abalone’s flavor.
Step 17
Once the abalone porridge has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container in the freezer. When you want to eat it, simply reheat it in the microwave – it makes an excellent quick breakfast or meal replacement. A drizzle of sesame oil after reheating can add extra flavor.
