Chinese Cold Boiled Chicken Food

CHINESE COLD BOILED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season the thighs generously with salt and pepper. Put them in a pot and barely cover with cold water. Add the ginger, garlic, star anise and the two whole scallions. Bring to a gentle boil and skim any rising foam. Turn the heat to very low, cover, and cook at a bare simmer for 1 hour.
• Transfer the thighs to a bowl to cool. Skim the fat from the surface of the cooking liquid. Over high heat, reduce the liquid by half, about 10 minutes, then strain it over the thighs. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight.
• To serve, arrange the chicken on a platter, leaving some of the jellied broth clinging to the thighs. (Alternatively, the skin may be removed and discarded, and the meat pulled from the bone and shredded.) Lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with slivered scallions, cilantro and, if you like, jalapeño slices. Drizzle with sesame oil and surround with lime wedges.

CANTONESE POACHED CHICKEN (BAI QIE JI)

Steps:

• Make sure your chicken is at room temperature (trying to poach a cold chicken right out of the refrigerator will result in uneven cooking or undercooking). Clean the chicken by rinsing it under cold water, paying special attention to the cavity. Any giblets should already be removed but there may still be organs on the inside that should be removed or sometimes stray feathers that need to be plucked. Experts recommend that it's not necessary to wash your chicken before cutting and cooking but in this case for a whole chicken (especially if you get it from a live poultry place or even from Asian markets), it's a step that shouldn't be skipped, in my opinion. When washing and prepping the whole chicken, be very careful about splashing water and contaminating surfaces with unwanted bacteria. Be careful not to break or trim away any of the skin on the chicken, as you don't want the meat exposed to the boiling water as it cooks. This will ensure a moist, silky texture in the final product.
• Fill a large stock pot with water, just enough to submerge the chicken completely. You can determine this by putting the entire chicken in the pot, filling it with water until the chicken is submerged, and then removing the chicken. Do not turn on the heat while the chicken is still in the pot! This method of ensuring you have just enough water to submerge the chicken (and avoiding any extra) will ensure you have a more flavorful stock to save at the end. We used about 18 cups of water to submerge a 4 pound chicken in a deep stock pot.
• Once you have your water properly measured into the pot, add 2 scallions and 5 slices of ginger, and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, slowly lower the chicken into the pot, legs down and head up. It's ok if the breast is peeking out of the water a bit. The water will cool down and stop boiling when you add the chicken, so bring it up to a boil once again, and do not walk away from the pot.
• Once the water boils again, IMMEDIATELY lift the chicken out of the water very carefully. You can carefully hook two wooden spoons under the wings to lift the chicken up. The goal is to empty any colder water that may be trapped inside the cavity. Once you've released that water, lower the chicken back into the pot, and bring to a boil again.
• When the water is JUST starting to boil, turn the heat down. Keep it at barely a simmer. There should be very little movement in the water, but it also shouldn't be still. Cover the pot, and keep the heat around the lowest setting so the liquid continues to simmer slowly. Cook for about 35-40 minutes, roughly 10-11 minutes per pound. Depending on the size of your chicken, it may take more or less time to cook it through. You can check to make sure the water is bubbling slowly/gently and not boiling too vigorously, but try to avoid uncovering the pot while it's cooking.
• Poke a chopstick or skewer into the thigh to check for doneness. If the juices run clear, it's done. Carefully lift the chicken out of the pot and transfer it to a large bowl of ice water. Cool completely.
• While the chicken is cooling, make the sauce. You have the option to make two versions-one with just scallions, ginger, oil and salt, and one with soy sauce. The plain version is more traditional, as it really lets the flavors of chicken, ginger, and scallion shine through. Judy loves to add soy sauce, and it's also a tasty option! Start with the plain version, and then scoop some of it out into another bowl and add soy sauce. Try both and see which your loved ones like best!
• When the chicken is out of the ice water, you can brush it lightly with oil or some of the fat floating atop the poaching liquid to give it that enticing, shiny look!
• To serve, carve your chicken into pieces that you can easily grab with chopsticks. Serve with your sauce(s) and some steamed rice.

BOILED CHICKEN, CHINESE STYLE

Steps:

• Fill a large kettle with water, and bring to a boil. (An 8 quart pot two-thirds filled with water works great for a 2 1/2 - 3 pound bird). When the water boils, place the whole cleaned chicken into it. When the water stops boiling, take the chicken out. Cover the pot, and when the water again boils, place the chicken back in the pot. Cover the pot, and turn off the heat. Leave the chicken in the pot and the pot on the burner. After 1 hour the chicken is done. Remove and cool.
• You can debone this chicken in very little time. If you are on a low-salt/low-fat diet, be sure to remove the skin. Save the juices that flow from the bird when deboning because this liquid contains a great deal of natural gelatin and will help keep the bird moist if you should decide to store the meat in the refridgerator. The chicken is ready to serve or use.

CHINESE STEAMED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Clean the chicken under running water.
• Remove any internal organs (liver, gizzard, heart) in the chicken cavity.
• Rub some coarse salt all over the surface and in the cavity of the chicken. Wash away the salt and drain.
• Apply the fine salt to the surface and the cavity of the chicken. Marinate the chicken overnight.
• Before steaming, apply some rice wine on the surface plus a tablespoon inside the cavity.
• Insert the ginger slices, bashed garlic, and the green section of the scallions into the cavity.
• Steam the chicken for 20 minutes over medium heat (lid-on). Switch off the stove, but do not remove the lid for another 15 to 25 minutes.
• Place the chicken upward to drain the gravy away in the cavity. Cut and serve after the chicken is completely cold.
• Place all the ingredients except the oil in a heat-resisting bowl.
• Heat two tablespoons of cooking oil until near smoking point. Pour the oil over the ginger and scallion. It is now ready to serve.

DRUNKEN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix the salt with the two peppers. Rub the chicken all over with the salt and pepper and let it sit for an hour.
• Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a Dutch oven or large pot, add the green onion bottoms and ginger. Add the chicken, make sure there is enough water to cover the chicken, and return to a boil. Lower the heat to a bare simmer and simmer for 10 minutes. If you're using a whole chicken, when the water is simmering for 10 minutes, lift the chicken out of the water and make sure the stock in the cavity empties back into the pot. Do that 3 times for a whole chicken. For chicken pieces or leg quarters, gently stir the pot once or redistribute the leg quarters so they cook evenly. After 10 minutes, cover, turn off the heat, and allow the chicken to poach undisturbed until the water cools almost to room temperature.
• Bring water to a boil in the steamer. Place the chicken in an even layer, scatter the green onion and ginger all over and steam over medium heat for 30 - 40 minutes or until the internal temperature near the bone reaches 165°F - 170°F (73°C - 76°C). If the chicken pieces are larger, they will take longer to steam. If any of the pieces are touching make sure to redistribute them in the middle of cooking so they cook evenly.
• Mix the ice cubes and water and shock the chicken in ice cold water for 2 minutes. If you poached the chicken, shock it after the chicken has cooled to room temperature. If you steamed the chicken, shock it immediately after steaming.
• After cooking, cut the chicken into bite sized pieces, or score the chicken meat with a knife. Put the chicken pieces into a large container. Mix 3/4 cup to 1 cup of the chicken stock (the liquid you poached the chicken in or the liquid that comes out of the chicken after steaming) with the sugar and rice wine. Taste the marinade and add salt if needed. Pour it over the chicken pieces and let this sit in the fridge at least overnight before serving. Serve cold.

CHINESE BOILED CHICKEN WITH ONIONS - CHOW YOW GAI

Steps:

• Fill a large kettle with water and bring to a boil. (An 8-quart pot two-thirds filled with water works great for a 2 1/2 to 3-pound bird.)
• When the water boils, place the whole cleaned chicken into it. When the water stops boiling, take the chicken out.
• Cover the pot and when the water again boils, place the chicken back in the pot. Cover the pot and turn off the heat. Leave the chicken in the pot and the pot on the burner. After one hour, the chicken is done. Remove, and cool.
• Debone the chicken and tear the meat into small strips.
• Place them on a large platter.
• Clean the green onions, and split each onion down the middle. Then cut them up into 1/2-inch pieces and place over the mound of chicken.
• Pour the soy sauce and the sesame oil over the chicken.
• Pour the salt over the onions.
• When you are ready to serve, pour the hot peanut oil over onions and chicken.
• Toss like salad and serve.

COLD SESAME CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season chicken with salt and sprinkle with five-spice powder, rubbing seasoning into the flesh.
• Transfer chicken to a soup pot or Dutch oven. Add 4 to 6 cups water, just to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to a bare simmer. Add scallions, ginger slices, star anise and turmeric. Simmer very gently until tender, about 45 minutes.
• Remove chicken to cool on a baking sheet. (For faster cooling, submerge chicken in ice water.) Reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid.
• Make the glaze: Put soy sauce, sugar, cayenne, garlic, toasted sesame oil, ginger and 1/2 cup cooking liquid in a shallow saucepan or small skillet over medium-high heat. Simmer rapidly until thickened, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Chop bone-in chicken into 1-inch chunks with a sharp cleaver or large chef's knife. (Remove bones before chopping, if preferred. If using drumettes or boneless thighs, leave whole.) Arrange chicken on a serving platter.
• Brush glaze onto the meat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and peanuts. Add chiles (if using), cilantro and scallions. Surround with mustard greens or lettuce leaves, if using. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

INSTANT POT WHITE CUT CHICKEN (白切雞)

Steps:

• Pressure Cook Whole Chicken: Add 2 tbsp (~40g) fine sea salt, 4 stalks of green onions, 2 tbsp (30g) crushed ginger, and 8 cups (2L) of cold water to the Instant Pot. With tongs, carefully submerge the whole chicken in the water. Ensure the water covers at least 90% of the chicken.Close lid and pressure cook at High Pressure for 0 (zero) minute + Natural Release (18 - 22 minutes). -For 2.8lbs (1270g) Whole Chickens: 18 minutes Natural Release-For 3.2 lbs (1450g) Whole Chickens: 20 minutes Natural Release-For 3.6 lbs (1633g) Whole Chickens: 22 minutes Natural ReleaseOpen the lid carefully. With tongs, carefully remove the chicken from Instant Pot. Be very careful as there will be hot liquid in the chicken carcass. Drain the hot chicken stock liquid in the chicken carcass.
• Measure Temperature: Place the whole chicken on a large plate and measure temperature of the thickest part of chicken. Make sure the temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C). *Note: If the thickest part is almost 165°F, you can just rest it on the plate and the carry over heat will continue to cook the whole chicken. If the thickest part is below 160°F, place chicken back into the hot liquid and close the lid for another 5 minutes.
• Cool Chicken: Fill a large mixing bowl with ice water. Completely submerge the chicken in ice water for 10 - 15 minutes.
• Make Ginger Scallion Sauce: Heat 1 ½ tbsp (22.5ml) peanut oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Place the freshly grated ginger in a small bowl. Pour in 1 ½ tablespoon HOT peanut oil, 1 stalk of finely chopped green onions and mix well. Add salt to taste (roughly ½ teaspoon).
• Serve: Pat dry and chop the chicken to serve with ginger & green onion sauce. Enjoy!*Pro Tip: Don't throw away the chicken stock, it is very salty at this stage. Add in roughly 8 cups (2L) water to dilute it and use it for soup or as salted chicken stock.

COLD POACHED CHICKEN WITH CHINESE GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Poach chicken: In a 1 1/2-quart saucepan bring water to a boil with gingerroot, Scotch, and salt to taste. Add chicken and simmer, covered, 12 minutes, or until just cooked through. Transfer chicken with tongs to a bowl and chill, covered, 20 minutes.
• Make sauce while chicken is cooling: In a bowl stir together sauce ingredients until sugar is dissolved.
• Halve chicken and cut across grain into thin slices. Spoon sauce over chicken and sprinkle with coriander.

BLACK FOLKS SOUL FOOD CHICKEN YOCK RECIPE (YOCK-A-MEIN)

Steps:

• Open the Instant Pot lid and turn it on with the sauté setting for 5 minutes.
• With the Instant Pot lid off, sauté the butter, onions, and garlic until the onions soften, and then cancel the sauté setting.
• Pour the water and chicken broth into the stainless-steel inner pot with the sautéed onions and add the chicken bouillon.
• Add the Creole seasoning, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken to the broth and stir the mixture.
• Then break the uncooked spaghetti noodles in half and submerge them in the broth.
• Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is up - in the position for sealing) and pressure cook on high for 2 minutes.
• When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 5 minutes.
• To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to 'venting' and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
• Serve this chicken yock soul food recipe hot with garnishments of halved hard-boiled egg and chopped green onion to garnish.
• Black folks eat yock with either a squeeze of soy sauce, hot sauce, or ketchup on top. Enjoy!