Chinese Tomato and Eggs Recipe

Looking for something new to do with fresh summer tomatoes besides sauces and salads? Have you ever had Chinese Tomato and Eggs?

In 1997, there was a summer where I spent a summer in China as part of the UCCEC program with Columbia University. It was a couple weeks in Beijing, and then a couple weeks in Kunming. We had classes every day, but we were learning Chinese while in China so the immersion forced us to learn faster and broader, and the weekends included trips such as what you see below to Beihai, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, and the Great Wall and more.

Beijing Sightseeing:
Temple of Heaven, Beijing Our UCCEC group at  Temple of Heaven, Beijing in summer of 1997
Me in the Forbidden City, China in 1997 The steps at the Great Wall of China in summer of 1997

Beihai Park, an Imperial Garden:
Lily pads in Beihai

During that first week or so in China, as my stomach and my new friends adjusted to the new sights, sounds, smells, and foreign language, we discovered this simple dish of Chinese Tomato and Eggs. Every restaurant in Beijing had it, it was easy to recognize in Chinese on the menu and say without people being confused, and it was a safe bet for eating as our stomachs became used to the new bacteria in this part of the world.
'Easy 'Easy

This recipe for Chinese Tomato and Eggs is not a dish seen often in Chinese restaurants United States, maybe because it’s too simple.  But it’s so delicious. It only takes 20 minutes or so, so it’s very fast. And, it can feed 2-4 for dinner when served with rice (2 as the only dish with the rice, 4 with another dish).

The key to this dish, which sounds plain but is not, is that the eggs get a touch of sesame oil, and the tomatoes get a touch of sugar. My version uses the secret ingredient of one tablespoon of Red Duck Ketchup, which adds just that little extra depth of flavor.
My secret ingredient to my Chinese Tomato and Eggs recipe is a tablespoon of Red Duck Ketchup

Ingredients:

  • Some chopped green onions, with the white and green parts separated, I used about 4 green onions but I really like green onions!
  • 3 tablespoons of olive oil, separated (you will use 2 and then 1 tablespoon)
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon corn starch
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 medium sized tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup

Directions:

  1. Beat eggs together; season with salt and pepper, and add the sesame oil. Whisk so it’s airy.
  2. Add two tablespoons of olive oil to a large pan (or wok if you have one, but it’s not absolutely necessary), turning up the heat to high. You should see the oil start to be steamy so you know it’s hot. Now add the white parts of the green onions (approximately – I still had some green-white parts and it was fine for me!) and sauté for about 30 seconds or so until fragrant.
  3. Next, add the egg mixture and let sit for 30 seconds. Stir and then carefully fold the eggs for another minute or less, just until the eggs are about to set (wherever it is shiny and still liquidy just fold down so it can cook for a few seconds until there are no more liquid parts), then immediately remove from heat and set aside on a plate.
    Setting aside eggs with green onions for the Chinese Tomato and Eggs recipe
  4. In a small bowl, combine together  2 tablespoons of water  with the 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Mix until it all is incorporated into the liquid.
  5. Add 1 more tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. When the oil is steaming again, add the roughly chopped tomatoes and the cornstarch sugar water and my secret ingredient, the tablespoon of Red Duck ketchup. Let the tomatoes cook, stirring only a bit, until you can see the tomato meat firm up slightly and you can smell the tomatoes. This should only take about 5 minutes.
    You only need to roughly chop the tomatoes for the Chinese Tomato and Eggs recipe Cook the tomatoes until it is fragrant and the flesh is more firm for the Chinese Tomato and Eggs recipe, just a few minutes
  6. Pour the eggs you set aside earlier back into the pan and stir to mix the eggs and tomatoes. Add the green part of the green onion and after another good stir, pour into your serving dish.
    Easy comfort food of my Chinese Tomato and Eggs recipe, enjoy with rice and is only 20 minutes from prep start to finish! Easy comfort food of my Chinese Tomato and Eggs recipe, enjoy with rice and is only 20 minutes from prep start to finish!
  7. Serve with rice.
    Easy comfort food of my Chinese Tomato and Eggs recipe, enjoy with rice and is only 20 minutes from prep start to finish!

You can fancify this dish with more vegetables like spinach, a bit of ginger, putting it on fried rice instead of regular rice. It can be breakfast, lunch or dinner – and I promise you, although it sounds simple, so does pasta with cheese (aka classic mac and cheese), and no one can deny the comfort of that dish. That’s what this Chinese Tomato and Eggs is.
My secret ingredient to my Chinese Tomato and Eggs recipe is a tablespoon of Red Duck Ketchup

I am a huge fan of Red Duck Ketchup. It’s made from organic ingredients and no high fructose corn syrup (it’s 100% corn free), and is supporting a local business. The name of the ketchup comes from the fact the three founders are from University of Oregon and thus are fans of the Oregon Ducks. And ketchup is red… aka Red Duck.
 Coalition Brewing Spicy Ketchup Beer and Curry Red Ale were brewed with Red Duck Ketchup

Although I’m not specifically an Oregon Ducks fan, on the day I was born as my mom was sitting on the front steps as my dad prepared the car, she saw a mother duck and her ducklings under a bush (our backyard had a lake) walk out and she almost, almost nicknamed me Duck. Thank goodness I got Pech instead.

Not to mention, this is just the most delicious ketchup I have ever had. They make a few flavors (I also love their spicy ketchup and curry ketchup, and they sometimes make other seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Spice!). The Red Duck Original Ketchup flavor isn’t too sweet but has a little depth of flavor thanks to a bit of balsamic vinegar.

Red Duck Ketchup was a discovery for me at Feast Portland‘s Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting. This event, which takes place on Friday and Saturday on September 18 and 19, is a great value in that so many amazing local vendors are all gathered in one place, ALL are offering samples so you can try everything and know what you are buying!

Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

That’s how I discovered and got to try Red Duck Ketchup, which I’m not sure I would have noticed normally since I’m not usually a big ketchup fan. But, Red Duck totally changed my tune.

This ketchup is amazing with anything and everything… and I loved it even when Coalition Brewing brewed a one keg special edition Spicy Ketchup Beer and a keg of Curry Red Ale with Red Duck Ketchup as part of National Ketchup Day. That’s right, this ketchup can even hold its own when used in beer!
Coalition Brewing Spicy Ketchup Beer and Curry Red Ale were brewed with Red Duck Ketchup Coalition Brewing Spicy Ketchup Beer and Curry Red Ale were brewed with Red Duck Ketchup

So of course it’s going to be awesome in your basic uses like paired on an Olympia Provisions hot dog, on your burgers… or as a secret ingredient of my Chinese Tomato and Eggs recipe.
Coalition Brewing Spicy Ketchup Beer and Curry Red Ale were brewed with Red Duck Ketchup as part of National Ketchup Day. So of course the ketchup is awesome paired on an Olympia Provisions hot dog.

Have you had Red Duck Ketchup, or Chinese Tomato and Eggs before? Have you studied abroad and learned of a new local dish during your visit that has special memories for you?

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Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting at Feast 2014

Do you not have tickets to the Saturday Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting at Pioneer Courthouse Square from 12-5? It’s not too late to buy your all inclusive tickets, for which benefits important charities like Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon and Share Our Strength.

The Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting at Feast 2014 is a great value in that so many amazing local vendors are all gathered in one place, ALL are offering samples so you can try everything and know what you are buying!

Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

Why you should go, in pictures, is because you can eat/drink all this and more while doing good, based on what I saw today visiting on the Friday version of this event:

Don’t miss grabbing a tote bag from Whole Foods at the top by the umbrella man statue! That is also where you should stop by to browse the wine pavilion and see who is manning the Willamette Valley Visitors Association Chef Station. On Friday it was the Les Caves Bier & Kitchen offering a Lamb BLT with Anderon Valley Lamb Belly, Taylor Farms Spring Mix, Denison Farms Tomatoes and Block 15 Bakery’s Ridgeback Red Ale Bread (beer bread!). While you are up there, have a few sips of wine to help wash down the food. I tried the Hawks View Syrah, or any of the Elizabeth Chambers.

Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

Back to the Main Tent! In Main Tent 3, I discovered Sahale Snacks are addictive, just try it, and they were generously offering some of their bags for you to bring back home to get your family addicted too.

Eliot’s Adult Nut Butters were a revelation to me, don’t miss out on being able to try the flight of peanut butters.

Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

If you look towards the end facing the stage of Main Tent 2, you should hurry before they run out to grab wooden food and wine glass holder trays. Those trays that hold food samples and a wine glass were such a godsend, thank you Rewards Network!

Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

The trays are also next to one of the healthiest bites at the Grand Tasting, fresh spring rolls from Bambuza and healthy snacks from Nature’s Path Organic.

Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

As always, the chef demos on the Kitchenaid Stage are fun – I watched charming Jenn Louis advocating not fearing the raw and demonstrating 3 kinds of tartare
Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

Afterwards, climb up those steps towards the Whole Foods Market tent and Bon Appetit tents and have some Cacao and iced cold brewed Stumptown to refuel before heading back for wine and more exploration in the Main Tent 2 and Main Tent 1. Don’t forget to gaze at the adorable goofiness of Hugh Acheson. Salt and Straw is also up there by Cacao, but I think you should save Salt and Straw to be your last bite before you leave Pioneer Courthouse Square. Cacao was serving one of the best tastes of the day, their drinking chocolate over Salt and Straw olive oil ice cream I think with Cocanu Candied Cacao Nibs Craque. Crack indeed.

You should also know there are two photo booths- one on each side of the big tent. I liked the Travel Oregon one as they printed out the photos or you can email or text them to yourself. The one by Portland Monthly though does have giant food items to pretend to eat!

Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

The Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission is presenting multiple unique ways to have berries. Burgerville, besides their refreshing beverage and salad, also has coupons there to get a free milkshake so don’t forget to grab one.

Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

The cupcakes at the Travel Oregon side in Main Tent 1 are Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes with Ninkasi Vanilla Otis and Jameson cupcake with Irish cream frosting. At that same table I admired the Wheatberry “fried rice” with grilled ribeye and broccolini in a baby takeout container (featuring Hill’s Meat, Joe Daughterty foraged mushrooms and Barhyte Specialty Foods, all prepared by Wildhouse Casino on behalf of Travel Oregon).

Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

Back towards the far end of Main Tent 2 is a pop-up for USA Pears that has seatings every 15 minutes in order to try 3 different uses of pears from a guest chef. Also next to this is the booth for Dave’s Killer Bread, who is also featuring a new recipe on Dave’s Killer Bread (naturally) for you to try. On Friday, the recipe was from Jenn Louis of Lincoln.

Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

It’s not too late to buy your tickets, and it is 21+ over only, but all inclusive and is 5 hours that is extremely worthwhile and for an important cause.

UPDATE: SATURDAY PHOTOS

On Saturday, the new Dave’s Killer Bread featured Recipe was from BJ Smith of Smokehouse 21.
Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

I can just eat spoonfuls of Red Duck ketchup, and you can try probably the first world pumpkin ketchup!
Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

I stopped by the USA Pears booth where Ethan Stowell from Seattle and his amazing Ethan Stowell restaurants (including Staple & Fancy and another half dozen others) was presenting

  • Sparkling Pear Cocktail with Poached Bosc Pear garnish
  • Anjou Pear salad with frisee, walnuts, and champagne vinaigrette
  • Foie gras mousse with Bosc Pear mostarda
  • BBQ smoked pork cheek slider with Bosc Pear bbq sauce and Comice Pear slaw

That foie gras mousse was my favorite bite for my second visit!
Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

Second place goes to Batch PDX chocolates, can you tell? They are right next to the Valrhona booth, which is next to the tasty Red Wagon Creamery booth.
Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

At the Travel Oregon area in the Main Tent 1, Timberline Lodge was offering goose galantine with yogurt olive oil snow, chanterelles, cherries and oats. Meanwhile, a new take on blackberry appeared by Pazzo Ristorante with black raspberry leather, edible chrysanthemum and raw matsutake salad. Blackbird had a smokey beef carpaccio on brioche wafer with blue cheese mousse, huckleberries, and arugula. Getting fancy in here!
Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting  Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting Feast Portland 2014, Oregon Bounty Grand Tasting

Disclosure: I was granted a Blogger Pass for Feast Portland 2014 for blog post and social media coverage but I am not otherwise being compensated. Even before I was given the Blogger Pass I already had tickets for some Feast events – so it just means I will have more to recap for you now! The listings above are ones I am just gathering in one place for convenience for both you and me!

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