Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 pounds)
- 1 cup dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked in hot water for 30 minutes
- 1 cup glutinous rice, soaked in water for 4 hours
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup dark soy sauce
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup ginger, peeled and julienned
- 1/4 cup scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
Special equipment needed:
- Large pot with a lid
- Steamer basket
- Kitchen twine
- Aluminum foil
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, sugar, and vegetable oil.
3. Rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. Season the chicken with salt and pepper inside and out.
4. Stuff the chicken cavity with soaked glutinous rice and shiitake mushrooms.
5. Tie the chicken legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the body.
6. Brush the chicken with the sauce mixture and place it in a steamer basket.
7. Add ginger and scallions on top of the chicken.
8. Cover the steamer basket with a lid and steam the chicken over high heat for 30 minutes.
9. Remove the chicken from the steamer basket and place it on a large sheet of aluminum foil.
10. Pour the remaining sauce mixture over the chicken and wrap it tightly with the foil.
11. Place the wrapped chicken on a baking sheet and bake it in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
12. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before unwrapping it.
13. Serve the chicken with the glutinous rice and shiitake mushrooms.
- Time:
Preparation time: 4 hours (for soaking the glutinous rice) + 30 minutes
- Cooking time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
5. Temperature:
- Steaming temperature: High heat
- Baking temperature: 400°F
Serving size:
- 4-6 servings
Nutritional information:
- Calories: 620
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Protein: 51g
- Sodium: 1,800mg
Substitutions for ingredients:
- Chicken can be substituted with duck or turkey.
- Glutinous rice can be substituted with regular rice or quinoa.
- Shiitake mushrooms can be substituted with other types of mushrooms.
- Shaoxing wine can be substituted with dry sherry or rice wine.
- Oyster sauce can be substituted with hoisin sauce or soy sauce.
- Dark soy sauce can be substituted with regular soy sauce.
Variations:
- Add sliced garlic and red chili peppers for a spicier flavor.
- Use different herbs and spices such as star anise, cinnamon, and bay leaves for a more complex flavor.
- Add vegetables such as carrots, celery, and onions for a more nutritious meal.
Tips and tricks:
- Make sure to tie the chicken legs tightly to prevent the stuffing from falling out.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked (165°F).
- Let the chicken rest before unwrapping it to allow the juices to redistribute.
Storage instructions:
- Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating instructions:
- Reheat the chicken in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
Presentation ideas:
- Serve the chicken on a platter with the glutinous rice and shiitake mushrooms.
- Garnish with fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley.
Garnishes:
- Fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley.
Pairings:
- Serve with steamed vegetables such as broccoli or bok choy.
- Pair with a side of fried rice or noodles.
Suggested side dishes:
- Steamed vegetables such as broccoli or bok choy.
- Fried rice or noodles.
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the chicken is not fully cooked, return it to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Food safety advice:
- Make sure to handle the chicken properly to prevent cross-contamination.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.
Food history:
- Beggar's chicken is a traditional Chinese dish that originated in Jiangsu province. Legend has it that a beggar stole a chicken and cooked it by wrapping it in mud and baking it in a fire. The result was a delicious and tender chicken that became a popular dish among the wealthy.
Flavor profiles:
- Savory, umami, slightly sweet, and aromatic.
Serving suggestions:
- Serve with a hot cup of tea.
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Region: Chinese