Abalone is typically available fresh, dried, or frozen. Different types of abalone may require slightly different preparation methods. What are the home-style methods for preparing frozen abalone and how do they differ?
Handling Frozen Abalone
1. Thaw using the defrost function on a microwave or naturally.
2. Rinse with cold water and clean with a brush.
3. Pound both sides of the abalone meat with the flat side of a knife to tenderize it before cooking.
Home-style Method One
Ingredients
Frozen abalone, garlic, red pepper, spring onion, 10 ml rice wine, 10 ml light soy sauce, a little chicken essence, and an appropriate amount of vegetable oil.
Instructions
1. Using a knife, cut around the edge of the abalone shell to remove the meat. Discard the black sandbag inside and clean the shell thoroughly.
2. Rinse the abalone meat and score it with a crisscross pattern using a knife. Place the meat back into the shell.
3. Finely chop the red pepper and spring onion. Mince the garlic.
4. In a pan heated to medium, fry half of the minced garlic in oil until slightly golden. Remove from the oil.
5. Mix the remaining minced garlic with the fried garlic. Add rice wine, light soy sauce, chicken essence, and a small spoonful of oil to create the garlic sauce.
6. Arrange the abalone in a dish and top with the prepared garlic sauce. Steam for 5 minutes after the water has boiled. Garnish with chopped red pepper and spring onion, then pour hot oil over the top.
Home-style Method Two
Ingredients
Frozen abalone, pork ribs, ginger, scallions, garlic, cinnamon bark, star anise, dark soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, and sesame oil.
Instructions
1. Prepare the frozen abalone by scoring the meat.
2. Rinse the pork ribs and blanch them in cold water. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.
3. Slice the ginger into strips and cut the scallions into pieces.
4. Heat oil in a pan and stir-fry the ginger, scallions, and garlic cloves until fragrant. Add the pork ribs and stir-fry until lightly browned.
5. Add the abalone meat, pour in rice wine and dark soy sauce, and add sugar. Stir to combine.
6. Pour in enough boiling water to cover the pork ribs. Add star anise and a little cinnamon bark. Transfer to a pressure cooker and cook over high heat until steam starts to escape, then cook for 20 more minutes.
7. Return the contents to a frying pan and simmer over high heat to reduce the sauce. Drizzle with sesame oil and season to taste.
Home-style Method Three
Ingredients
Frozen abalone, fish sauce, chicken essence, ginger, spring onion, and oil.
Instructions
1. Thaw and prepare the abalone, then score it with a crisscross pattern.
2. Place ginger strips on top and steam in boiling water for about 5-8 minutes.
3. After steaming, sprinkle with chopped spring onion and drizzle with fish sauce.
4. Heat a tablespoon of oil and pour it over the abalone.
Tips
The steaming time depends on the size of the abalone.