One never knows where inspiration will appear. I had a hair appointment recently that took longer than expected, and Ed passed the time watching Eat the World with Emeril Lagasse. The first season premiered on Amazon on September 2nd, just a few days ago. He enjoyed it so much that he happily watched it again with me. It was in the Spain episode that Emeril’s host served him huevo hilado, or egg yarn, nestled on thin slices of Spanish ham.
My parents recently gave Ed and me an Iberico ham for our birthdays, so this seemed like something we should try. It was a crazy, fun experiment!
Reading about egg yolk cooked in syrup reveals that this is a very old technique, Byzantine perhaps, one known all over the world. It became popular in the Mediterranean during the Middle Ages.
In Portugal or Brazil, it’s know as fios de ovos, egg threads and the syrup might be made with orange blossom water or rose water. Served on their own or as a garnish for cakes, the threads are very popular.
In Thailand, the syrup would be flavored with jasmine, and little packets of the candied egg noodles would be flavored with smoke before serving.
How are these candied threads of egg yolk on a nice jamon, you might ask? Fantastic! We followed Emeril’s example and rolled a bit of ham around the huevo hilado, kind of like a taco. The flavors go together beautifully. The saltiness of the jamon is classically complemented by the sweetness of the candied egg.
I’m happy to know about this little delicacy. I can see making this again to provide an interesting texture as a garnish to other dishes, or the most unusual amuse bouche or a sweet single bite to end a meal.
I love the very real sense of history and continuity that comes from whipping up something in the kitchen that’s been around for hundreds or thousands of years.
Smacznego!
Lois
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Huevo Hilado
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Cuisine: Spanish
Description
Candied threads of egg yolk make a perfect topping for a salty Spanish ham
Ingredients
- 2 egg yolks, beaten and sieved
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Spanish ham, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Put the sieved yolks in a small ziplock bag
- Combine sugar, water, and vanilla
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer five minutes
- Snip a very small hole in one corner of the ziplock bag
- In a circular motion, drizzle a stream of egg yolk over the simmering syrup
- Cook for two to three minutes
- Using a slotted spoon, scoop out the threads of egg
- Allow to cool
- Serve on Spanish ham
An accountant by trade and a food blogger since 2009, Lois Britton fell in love with Polish cuisine during the years she lived in Poznań, Poland. As the creator of PolishHousewife.com, she loves connecting readers with traditional Polish recipes. Lois has a graduate certificate in Food Writing and Photography from the University of South Florida. She is the author of The Polish Housewife Cookbook, available on Amazon and on her website.
Mary Britton
Is there anywhere in the US you can buy this already prepared like in Spain?
polishhousewife
Not that I know of Mary. This TV show was the first I’ve heard of it. We have the same surname, by the way!
Helena Opperman
Bought it by accident in Spain yesterday under the impression it was grated cheese. will try it with gammon. Best wishes for 2017! happy dishes all year round.
polishhousewife
Helena, I can imagine how easily that could happen! It looks just like cheese. I hope you like it! Feliz Ańo Nuevo!