Q: Can I use fresh shiitake mushrooms instead of dried ones?
A: Yes, fresh shiitake mushrooms can be used, but the flavor may differ slightly from using dried ones.
Q: How long should I marinate the chicken?
A: Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to ensure it absorbs the flavors.
Q: Is it necessary to use chicken essence?
A: Chicken essence is optional and can be omitted or replaced with a pinch of salt or chicken stock powder for flavor enhancement.
Braised Chicken with Beancurd Sticks and Shiitake Mushrooms
Notes
- 1/2 Chicken
- 3 Beancurd Sticks
- 7 Dried Shiitake Mushrooms
- 1 Small Onion
- 1/2 Large Spring Onion
- 1/2 Garlic Bulb
- 6 slices of Ginger
- 5g Fermented Black Beans (Douchi)
- Marinade for Chicken:
- 1.5g Salt
- 1/2 tbsp Sugar
- 1 tbsp Cooking Wine
- A pinch of White Pepper Powder
- 1/2 tbsp Cornstarch
- Sauce:
- 1.5 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 0.5 tsp Chicken Essence
- Prepare the ingredients. Soak beancurd sticks in water.
- Soak dried shiitake mushrooms and beancurd sticks in water.
- Clean the chicken and chop it into small pieces, then marinate with the chicken marinade ingredients.
- Mix well and set aside.
- Wash and chop the other ingredients.
- After the beancurd sticks are soft, cut them into pieces.
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Add the marinated chicken.
- Fry the chicken until both sides are golden brown.
- Move the chicken to the side of the pan, leaving the oil in the center. Add all ingredients except beancurd sticks to the oil and stir-fry until fragrant.
- Stir-fry everything in the pan for 3 minutes.
- Add oyster sauce and soy sauce, and stir-fry evenly.
- Fry until all ingredients are well coated with the sauce.
- Add an appropriate amount of warm water, just enough to cover the ingredients, and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Add the beancurd sticks and continue to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Simmer until the liquid is reduced to a quarter, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, then add chicken essence.
- Rich in protein from chicken and beancurd sticks.
- Contains vitamins and minerals from mushrooms and vegetables.
- Can be high in sodium; adjust soy sauce and salt accordingly for a healthier option.