Tomato and Egg Stir-Fry (Fanqie Chao Jidan)
Local name: 西红柿炒鸡蛋
In short: Soft scrambled eggs folded into juicy, lightly sweet tomatoes, the quick everyday dish served over rice in nearly every Chinese home. It takes about 18 min in total and makes 3 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Total
- 18 min
- Servings
- 3
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 250 kcal
Fanqie chao jidan is the dish many Chinese cooks learn first and cook most often. Eggs are scrambled until just set, then folded into tomatoes that have cooked down into a light, sweet and tangy sauce. It takes 15 minutes, uses pantry ingredients and tastes best over hot rice. There are sweet and savory camps, so adjust the sugar to your taste. Ripe tomatoes matter more than anything else here.
Instructions
- Beat the eggs with the wine and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt until the yolks and whites are fully combined.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a wok over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Pour in the eggs and let them set for 10 seconds, then push them gently in large curds for 30 to 40 seconds, until just barely set. Remove to a plate.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and the scallion whites to the wok and stir for 10 seconds.
- Add the tomatoes and the rest of the salt. Cook over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes, pressing them lightly, until they break down into a saucy, jammy mixture.
- Stir in the sugar to balance the acidity, then return the eggs to the wok. Fold gently for 30 seconds so the eggs soak up some of the sauce.
- Scatter the scallion greens over the top and serve at once over steamed rice.
Tips
- Use the ripest, softest tomatoes you can find. If yours are firm, blanch them for 30 seconds, peel them and cut them smaller. A tablespoon of ketchup rescues bland winter tomatoes.
- Take the eggs off while they are still slightly wet. They finish cooking when you fold them into the hot tomatoes.
Questions and answers
Should tomato and egg be sweet or savory?
Both styles exist. Northern cooks often make it more savory and southern cooks sweeter. Start with 1 teaspoon of sugar, taste and add more only if the tomatoes are very sharp.
Can I add water to make more sauce?
A splash of up to 60 ml (1/4 cup) is fine if you want extra sauce for rice. Add it when the tomatoes break down and simmer for 2 minutes.
What can I serve with tomato and egg?
Steamed rice or noodles, plus a green vegetable such as garlic bok choy. It also goes well in a bun or on top of plain noodles.
How long does it take to make Tomato and Egg Stir-Fry (Fanqie Chao Jidan)?
About 18 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 8 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tomato and Egg Stir-Fry (Fanqie Chao Jidan)?
About 250 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 8 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 250 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 670 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
