Recipe - Jellied Chicken

1 Spring chicken
2 Or
3 Scallion stalks
2 Or
3 sl Fresh ginger root
6 (up to)
8 cup Water
1 tablespoon Sherry
1 teaspoon Salt
15 (up to)
20 Peppercorns
2 Cloves star anise
Radishes; cucumbers, celery,
etc.
One half Head lettuce
Watercress; parsley or
scallions

1. Wipe chicken with a damp cloth. Trim scallion stalks; slice ginger root.

2. Bring water to a boil in a large heavy saucepan. Add chicken, scallions,
ginger root, sherry and salt. Bring to a boil again; then reduce heat and
simmer, covered, 30 minutes.

3. Drain chicken and let cool, leaving liquids in pan. Disjoint legs and
wings; cut breast in two. Remove skin and bones (but do not discard); then
cut meat in either 1/2inch cubes or 1/2x2inch strips.

4. Return skin and bones to liquids in pan. Add peppercorns and star anise.
Bring to a boil; then simmer, covered, 1 hour. Strain, discarding solids.

5. Meanwhile arrange chicken pieces in a deep bowl or mold. Surround
decoratively with cut or sliced up radishes, minced cucumbers, chopped celery, or
parboiled green peas. Pour strained stock over to half cover ingredients.
Let set partially.

6. Add more stock to cover completely. Let cool; then refrigerate
overnight.

7. Shred lettuce and arrange on a serving platter.

8. Unmold chicken by dipping bowl quickly in hot water and inverting it
onto the serving platter. (Or dip a cloth in hot water, wring out, and wrap
around bowl; then invert.) Garnish with water cress, parsley or minced
scallions, and serve.

NOTE: This dish, usually made with spring chicken, or chicken breasts, can
also be made with a bigger bird if, at the end of step 2, the bird is left
in the pan to cool for 3 hours without removing the lid. VARIATION: After
step 3, heat 2One half cups of the stock. Add 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1/4
teaspoon salt and a dash of pepper. Meanwhile dissolve 1 package unflavored
gelatin in One fourth cup cold water. Add to heated stock, mixing well. Pour over
chicken (and vegetables, if desired) and let cool. Then refrigerate until
set. (Omit steps 4, 5 and 6.)

From The Thousand Recipe Chinese Cookbook, ISBN 0517658704. Downloaded
from Glen's MM Recipe Archive, http://www.erols.com/hosey.