Three Exquisite Abalone Recipes for a Luxurious Meal
Nutrient-Rich Abalone: Mastering Butter-Seared, Fried Rice, and Preparation Techniques
Craving a special meal at home that rivals a fine dining experience? Today, I’m delighted to share three wonderful recipes using fresh, nutrient-packed abalone, a true gift from the sea. If you’ve always thought of abalone as a dish reserved for special occasions, these recipes will reveal its boundless versatility. Even abalone that might seem small, perfect for adding to ramen or stews, can be transformed into a variety of delicious dishes depending on how you prepare it. Let me walk you through how we enjoy fresh abalone at our home, one recipe at a time.
Abalone with Butter and Garlic- 1 pack fresh abalone (cleaned)
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of coarse black pepper
Abalone Fried Rice- 1/4 carrot, finely diced
- 1/4 zucchini, finely diced
- 1/4 onion, finely diced
- 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 2 Tbsp corn kernels
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp oligosaccharide
- 1/2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 1/4 carrot, finely diced
- 1/4 zucchini, finely diced
- 1/4 onion, finely diced
- 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
- 2 Tbsp corn kernels
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 Tbsp oligosaccharide
- 1/2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. Thoroughly Clean the Fresh Abalone: First, it’s crucial to remove any dirt or debris stuck between the shell and the flesh. If you don’t have a dedicated brush, a clean disposable toothbrush works wonders for scrubbing the shell and flesh meticulously. The small bristles are excellent for reaching into crevices.
Step 2
2. Briefly Blanch the Abalone (to prevent toughness!): While you can cook abalone directly after cleaning, a quick blanch makes it even more tender. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become tough. Bring a pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the abalone, shell and all, and blanch for about 50 seconds using a timer. (Avoid boiling for more than 1 minute!)
Step 3
3. The Blanched Abalone: Here’s the abalone after its 50-second dip in boiling water. It naturally shrinks slightly right after coming out of the hot water.
Step 4
4. Easily Separate the Abalone Meat: The abalone meat can be easily detached from the shell immediately after blanching, using tongs. It comes off cleanly without much effort.
Step 5
5. Prepare the Abalone (Remove Innards and Mouth, then Slice): From the detached abalone meat, carefully cut away the tough innards and the mouth part with a knife. (You can choose to keep and use the innards if you prefer, but removing them is recommended for a milder flavor initially.) Now, slice the abalone into bite-sized pieces. I initially sliced them thinly, but later found that cutting them in half during a second blanching gave a more satisfying chew and texture. Feel free to slice them according to your preference.
Step 6
6. Prepare for Abalone Butter Sear: For our second dish, we’re making the universally loved ‘Abalone Butter Sear’. After separating the abalone meat from the shell, thoroughly clean the inside of the shell to use later. Score the abalone meat in a crosshatch pattern; this helps the seasoning penetrate better and ensures even cooking.
Step 7
7. Deliciously Sear the Abalone: Heat a pan over medium heat. Add butter and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Then, add the scored abalone and sprinkle with coarse black pepper. Sear on both sides until golden brown. The beauty of abalone butter sear is enjoying it in one perfect bite! Tip: Don’t discard the cleaned abalone shells; place them in the pan while cooking the abalone for an attractive presentation.
Step 8
8. Prepare Ingredients for Abalone Fried Rice: Our third dish is ‘Abalone Fried Rice’. This was an ‘Abalone Day’ at our house, with the whole family enjoying abalone creations! Finely dice the pre-prepared abalone. Then, finely chop the carrot, zucchini, and onion from your refrigerator. Lightly sauté the corn kernels in a pan and set them aside.
Step 9
9. Create the Special Fried Rice Sauce: Let’s whip up a special sauce for this delicious fried rice. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 Tbsp butter, 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic, 1.5 Tbsp oligosaccharide, and 1.5 Tbsp cooking wine. Mix well. (The listed amounts for oligosaccharide and cooking wine are the total quantities.)
Step 10
10. Sear Abalone in Sauce: Add the prepared sauce to the pan and stir-fry the sliced abalone until cooked. Once cooked, remove the abalone and set it aside on a separate plate. This step infuses the abalone with the sauce’s flavor.
Step 11
11. Stir-fry Vegetables and Rice: In the same pan with the remaining sauce, add the diced vegetables (carrot, zucchini, onion) and stir-fry until they soften. Then, add one bowl of cooked rice and the sautéed corn kernels. Mix everything together thoroughly until well combined.
Step 12
12. Serve the Abalone Fried Rice: Plate the appetizing fried rice attractively. Top with the reserved seared abalone for a nutritious and visually appealing dish. This recipe is sure to be a hit with both children and adults!
