Hotate Chawanmushi is a traditional Japanese dish that combines the delicate flavors of steamed egg custard with the sweetness of scallops. To make this dish, you will need fresh hotate (scallops), eggs, dashi (Japanese soup stock), soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), and green onions. Start by preparing the chawanmushi mixture. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps. Set aside. Next, thinly slice the scallops and place them in individual heatproof bowls or cups. Pour the chawanmushi mixture over the scallops, filling each bowl about 3/4 full. Place the bowls in a steamer and steam for about 15-20 minutes, or until the custard is set. Garnish with chopped green onions. Serve the hotate chawanmushi as a delicate and comforting appetizer or as part of a traditional Japanese meal.
