Chinese Tea Eggs

Elevate your hard-boiled egg game with this modified street food classic recipe. Reminiscent of childhood memories and the joys of street food, these marinated eggs are traditionally made with a slow cooker. We are pivoting for enhanced flavor and longevity of meal-prepping using a pressure cooker for perfectly cooked eggs. The result? A simple, delicious, and meal-prep-friendly treat for busy days.

Ingredients:

For the Marinade:

• 5 cups water

• 6 ounces Soy sauce (3/4 cup)

• 1 disposable tea bag filled with:

  • 3 teaspoons Sichuan/Pink peppercorn

  • 2.5 teaspoons Mixed/Black Peppercorn

  • 2 tablespoons cloves

  • 4-7 Star Anise

• 2 Bay leaves

• 2 Large cinnamon sticks

• 3 bags of black tea

• 2 Clementine peel (dried or fresh)

• 4 teaspoons sugar (or keto-friendly sweetener)

• 2 teaspoons salt

For the Eggs:

• 36 eggs (max allowance of your pressure cooker)

• 1/2 - 1 cup of water

• Silicon pressure cooker stand (optional)

Instructions:

Preparing the Marinade:

1. Place all marinade ingredients into a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. The low setting enhances the depth of flavor.

2. Use a loose-leaf tea bag to contain small spices for easier removal. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.

Preparing the Eggs:

1. Pressure cook the eggs to the desired doneness. For medium/hard-boiled eggs, follow the pressure cooking instructions (referencing cooking times for your specific altitude).

2. De-pressurize the cooker, remove the basket, and rapidly cool the eggs by placing them in ice water. This aids in easy peeling by separating the membrane.

3. Drain the eggs once they reach room temperature. Gently crack the top and bottom, then roll the egg to crack the rest of the shell.

4. Place the cracked eggs into a container or Ziploc bag with the cooled marinade to prevent further cooking.

5. Soak the eggs in the marinade overnight for up to 3 days until the desired flavor is achieved.

6. Drain the marinade and refrigerate the eggs for up to 7 days. Enjoy your flavorful marinated eggs!

Notes:

• Use a silicon insert while pressure cooking to prevent the eggs from browning.

• If marinating in a Ziploc bag, place it in a large bowl to catch any potential leaks.

• Dry your own clementines for future recipes; no need to buy them at the store.

• To fully submerge the eggs, place a small paper towel on top of the eggs sticking out of the marinade.

Keto/Gluten-Friendly Tips:

• Substitute sugar with your favorite keto-friendly sweetener.

• Use a gluten-free soy substitute, adjusting salt as necessary.

Equipment Links:

• Disposable Tea Bags

• Ninja Pressure Cooker

• Crock-Pot with Lock Lid

• Foodservice Storage Containers

• Silicone Inserts

We hope you enjoy these elevated hard-boiled eggs! Hope it brings back the nostalgia of street food with a flavorful twist!