Abalone, pronounced bao yu () in Cantonese, is a large sea snail with a unique shell that can be found along many coasts, including those of Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Canned abalone is the most popular option to get during Chinese New Year, as it is the most convenient and requires less preparation.
When it comes to cooking canned Australian abalone, it is important to remember not to overcook them, as they will become rubbery. To eat canned abalone in seasoning products, simply remove the abalone from the bag and can. Pour the seasoning into a microwave-safe dish and heat it in the microwave. Cut the abalone into thin slices and serve it with your meal, then pour the delicious hot seasoning over the abalone to serve.
Since farmed abalone is younger than wild ones (they are harvested after a few years and, to keep wild populations healthy, you can only harvest much larger and older abalone), they have a less intense abalone flavor, which is either an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on how much you like abalone.
When cooking canned Australian abalone, set the heat to medium and add garlic and ginger to cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant. About an hour before the cooking time ends, add the prepared sea cucumber to simmer with the abalone. Make sure there is enough liquid to cover the abalone as they cook, otherwise they may dry out and harden.
Fresh abalone recipes tend to be much simpler and easier compared to most canned abalone recipes, with a focus on adding flavor to them. You can use a flat, heavy tool (such as a blade or a meat mallet) to hit the flatter side of the meat. There is absolutely nothing wrong with eating abalone this way: fishermen already cook (steam) the abalone before sealing it in the can.
You can get canned abalone in brine (salt and water) that taste lighter, or canned abalone in sauce that are tastier. During the process, make sure that the water does not dry out and that the can is always completely submerged; otherwise, top up with a sufficient amount of water.
Canned Australian abalone is an easy-to-prepare delicacy that can be enjoyed during Chinese New Year or any other special occasion. With this step-by-step guide, you can easily prepare this delicious seafood dish without any hassle.
