You know that feeling on 2 mornings after a steamboat?
You open the fridge and see the "Grave of Steamboats Past"—a bag of stray broccoli, three types of mysterious "bursting" meatballs, and exactly enough lamb slices to feel awkward about throwing them away.
Today, I didn't see leftovers. I saw opportunity.
### Step 1: The Flavor Foundation
I fired up the cast iron and threw the lamb and beef shabu slices into a mosh pit of sesame oil and pepper. Once they got that "I’ve been grilled" tan, I added the salted egg yolks. If you aren't frying your yolks until they foam up like a science fair volcano, are you even cooking?
Step 2: The "Set and Forget" (Or so I thought)
In went the water, dashi, pumpkin, and rice. I gave the pot a stern look, set a series of 5-minute timers, and added the "Bentong Tofu Pok & Friends" medley.
Then came the dangerous part: Delegation. I had to go fetch Isaac, so I left The Wife with a very specific, very loving set of instructions.
It was basically a quest log: Add the veggie baggie. Wash and prep the kangkung. Chop the cilantro. Swirl in the egg whites.Don't let the house burn down.
It was basically a quest log: Add the veggie baggie. Wash and prep the kangkung. Chop the cilantro. Swirl in the egg whites.
Step 3: The Reality Check
I walked back through the door expecting a fully garnished masterpiece. Instead, the veggie baggie was in (success!), the flame was on low (safe!), but the kangkung was sitting there looking at me like, "You thought she was actually going to sauté me? That’s cute."
She handed me the garlic and shallots with a smile that clearly said, "I kept the baby alive and the pot simmering. The greens are a 'you' problem, buddy."
The Plot Twist Just when I thought I was the hero of this story, she pulls a Three-Color Steamed Egg out of nowhere. Silkier than a luxury hotel bedsheet. Century egg, salted egg, normal egg—the holy trinity of "I'm still the better cook."
She handed me the garlic and shallots with a smile that clearly said, "I kept the baby alive and the pot simmering. The greens are a 'you' problem, buddy."
The Plot Twist Just when I thought I was the hero of this story, she pulls a Three-Color Steamed Egg out of nowhere. Silkier than a luxury hotel bedsheet. Century egg, salted egg, normal egg—the holy trinity of "I'm still the better cook."
The Result
We ended up with a bowl of Rice Mui that was 10% leftovers and 90% pure umami. Isaac is fed, the fridge is clean, and I have successfully avoided buying groceries for another 24 hours.
Mission accomplished.
