What Is Egg Foo Young

• Egg foo young is an egg-based dish, similar to an omelet, but with ingredients and flavors that give it a distinctively Asian spin. While egg foo young can be found on many Chinese restaurant menus, the dish is actually a Chinese-American dish. Like an omelet, egg foo young consists of puffy, whipped eggs holding a variety of meats and vegetables. Since it can be made so easily and with such versatility, egg foo young makes a perfect quick meal.

Ingredients

• As the dish's name suggests, all recipes for egg foo young call for eggs. Often, the eggs are mixed with sesame oil to give them a burst of flavor. Many of the other ingredients vary from recipe to recipe and can be adapted to suit a person's preferences. For a protein, many cooks opt for chicken, beef, pork or seafood. A variety of vegetables, like bell peppers, onions, mushrooms or bamboo shoots, can be thrown into the dish. Create a flavorful Asian sauce made of some combination of soy sauce, garlic, chicken broth, oyster sauce, vinegar, ketchup or sesame oil to serve on the side.

Cooking Instructions

• Most egg foo young recipes begin by beating the eggs in a bowl with sesame, as well as a dash of salt and pepper. In a non-stick pan, stir-fry the protein and vegetables until they are cooked properly, then pour in the eggs. As the eggs cook, stir them occasionally to give them a fluffy texture and help them cook evenly. When the eggs are barely cooked and still loose, cover the skillet and let them cook for an additional three minutes or until they have set. Sprinkle the dish with green onion and serve it with an Asian sauce.

Other Ideas

• While egg foo young makes an ample-size dish on its own, try pairing it with some tasty Asian side dishes for a complete meal. A side of steamed rice or brown rice can help fill up diners who are still hungry after their egg foo young. Get in more vegetables by serving the dish with a healthy salad topped with Mandarin oranges and drizzled with the same Asian sauce that was served with the egg foo young. To enjoy egg foo young on the go, try tucking it into a sandwich wrap.