Steamed Ginger Paste Fish Recipe | Easy Asian Cooking

Steamed Ginger Paste Fish

For those who adore ginger and seafood, here's another gingery treat for you when your big cravings kicks in, besides fried prawn with ginger sauce.  It doesn't matter if your gluttonous mind rules your belly or the other way round, as long as your taste buds being titillated, your spurts of cravings being satiated and you're inundated with intoxicating steamed fish treat at the end of your day! Make sure your fish slabs are uber fresh and steamed until its texture is soft but not mushy, then every spoonful you'll be delighted with meaty sweetness of the fish and pungency of the ginger, making it a blissful meal of the senses.

Here's the how-to recipe for you to steam ginger paste fish at home. Enjoy your home-cooked dish!

Ingredients :

2 thick slices fish fillet (any meaty fish)

Gravy :

80g finely chopped matured ginger

2 tbsp ginger marinade

Seasoning :

1 tbsp oyster sauce

2 tbsp sugar (or to taste)

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (绍兴酒) (optional)

1 tbsp rose wine (玫瑰露酒) (optional)

Garnish :

1 tbsp chopped spring onion

1 stalk coriander leaves, sectioned

1 tbsp shredded young ginger

1 tbsp shredded carrot

1 tbsp sesame oil

Method :

1. Combined gravy and seasoning ingredients in a small bowl, stir well.

2. Clean fish slices and pat completely dry, then place on a heatproof dish. Spread the combined mixture (in Method 1) over the fish slices. Steam over high heat for 12-15 minutes or until fish is just cooked through.

3. Add sesame oil to the steamed fish and garnish with chopped spring onion, coriander leaves, shredded ginger and carrot before serving. Serve hot with steamed rice.

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Stir-fried Sweet Potato Leaves with Taucheo (Fermented Yellow Soybean Sauce) Recipe | Easy Asian Cooking

Home-cooked Stir-fried Sweet Potato Leaves with Taucheo

Just like many affectionate parents who tend to shower us with heaps of goods the moments we are about to bid farewell, my mother-in-laws packed some sweet potato leaves to be brought back with us to Penang sometimes ago when we back to Negeri Sembilan. There're aplenty of homegrown sweet potato leaves by a close relative which just been freshly plucked and partially ended up in our car. Without mulling the next morning, sweet potato leaves were dimidiated, half portion was stir-fried with taucheo (fermented yellow soybean sauce or taucu, 豆酱) and sliced red chilli peppers (cayenne pepper), and the other half stored back into the fridge to be cooked with sambal belachan (stinky but luscious Malaysian shrimp paste) later.

This green veggie, with leaves that wilt as easily as spinach while the stems retain a nice crisp-tender bite, are perfectly paired with salty and savory taucheo, with sliced red chilli peppers impart a hint of spiciness. Though the ingredients may seem too simple, it made a quick satisfying meal and a great companion to go with fluffy steamed rice. Whilst oftentimes I like to imagine myself lavishing in exotic or elaborate dishes, sometimes I just like my dish to be plain, easy-to-prepare and homey.

For health-conscious, nutrition facts of sweet potato leaves may interest you. This simple vegetable is packed with nutrition, low in saturated fat and very low in cholesterol. It is also a good source of vitamin E, niacin and phosphorus and also very rich in dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, potassium and manganese. Sweet potato leaves, according to Chinese belief, replenish blood and as a diabetes diet. It is also suitable to those who embrace the vegetarian lifestyle as potato leaves is the only vegetable with Iodine, a common substance found in seafood.

Here's the easy recipe for stir-fried sweet potato leaves with taucheo. (番薯叶炒豆酱与红辣椒)

Ingredients :
Some sweet potato leaves (番薯叶), washed, trimmed and drained
2 1/2 tbsp of taucheo (fermented yellow soybean sauce or taucu, 豆酱)
1 red chilli pepper (cayenne pepper, 红辣椒), deseeded and sliced thinly
2 pips of garlic, skin removed and minced
2 tbsp of vegetable oil

Method :

1. Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet, saute the minced garlic until it turns slightly brown.  Add in potato leaves and turn to high flame, do a quick and brisk stir, then add in sliced red chilli pepper (cayenne pepper) and taucheo (fermented yellow soybean sauce). Stir well to mix. Sprinkle some water to keep it moist. Turn off the flame after 2-3 minutes and serve hot with steamed rice. No need season with salt or soy sauce as the taucheo itself is salty enough to flavor the dish.

Home-cooked Stir-fried Sweet Potato Leaves with Taucheo

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Chicken with Lemongrass and Asparagus Recipe | Easy Asian Cooking

I have a few calorie-laden staple dishes for the past few days and to alleviate this gnawing guilt, there's some internal urges from myself to adopt a healthier diet since after. I try to ration and minimize the intake of greasy fat and unhealthy seasonings and opt for low-fat and high-fibre ingredients in my next prepared meals. Hence, below oriental Chinese dish - chicken with lemongrass and asparagus seems gratified my need. A good source of dietary fiber, asparagus is an alkaline food which is rich in protein but low in calories and carbohydrates. It is an excellent source of potassium, folic acid, vitamins A, C and K, traces of vitamin B complex, niacin, phosphorus and very low sodium. Highly dense in healthful nutrients that help various ailments, asparagus is used as a tonic to relieve arthritis and rheumatism, cleanses the tissues and muscles of waste, provides regular bowel movement, provides diuretic effect, prevents the progression of cataracts and other eye problems, treats diabetes and heart disease, prevents the dreaded cancer, prevents or dissolves kidney stones and even treats toothache as believed in folk medicine.

This is a Thai-influenced dish, with a generous concoction of lemongrass, ginger, onion, garlic and basil leaves. The addition of vine-ripened tomatoes moistens the dish and lends a taste of the Mediterranen. Cooked quickly to a crisp-tender texture, the crunch of the asparagus contrasted with the chewy texture of the cooked chicken and is tinged with the mild pungency of black pepper, and more dominated by the refreshing lemony essence of lemongrass.

To prepare chicken with lemongrass and asparagus, you'll need below ingredients :

1 tbsp olive oil or grapeseed oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp finely chopped lemongrass

2 tsp finely chopped fresh root ginger

1 onion, sliced

600g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 tomatoes, chopped

350g asparagus spears, halved length- and widthways

Chicken marinade :

A pinch of salt

A dash of freshly ground black pepper

Seasoning :

1 tbsp shoyu or tamari sauce (types of Japanese soy sauce, darker in appearance and richer in flavour )

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

A handful of Thai basil leaves, to garnish

Ingredients for Chicken with Lemongrass and Asparagus

Method :

1. Marinate the chicken cubes with a pinch of salt and a dash of freshly ground black pepper for about 30 minutes.

2. Heat up olive oil in a non-stick skillet over high heat until the oil is swirling hot. Toss in minced garlic, lemongrass, ginger and onion. Stir-fry for about 4 minutes.

3. Add in chicken and stir-fry for about 4-6 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through.

4. Add in the chopped tomatoes, asparagus, shoyu sauce and freshly ground black pepper. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes. Garnish with Thai basil leaves.

Cooking Tips :

Q : Should asparagus be peeled?

A : Peeling asparagus is recommended for the asparagus with thicker stalks to get rid of woody and fibrous strings. Chop off the bottom inch of the stalk and peel downward from the spears. This process however, can be omitted with the properly selected, thin and fresh asparagus. 

(Refer to About.com for more Asparagus Cooking Tips)

Chicken with Lemongrass and Asparagus

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Chinese Herbal Black Chicken Soup Recipe | Easy Asian Cooking

Chinese Herbal Black Chicken Soup (药材乌鸡清补汤)

My devotion for Chinese herbal soup will not simply end with papaya soup with American ginseng and black chicken and double-boiled ginseng roots and chicken soup, instead it marks a beginning of yet another soup chapter. I have been away for a while back to my hometown and obliged with copious amount of Chinese herbs by my mother. Being a discerning mom, she never fails to remind us to replenish our bodies with soul-soothing and nourishing Chinese herbal soup every now and then. Now only you know that my tiredless advocacy for Chinese tonic soup is actually attributable to my mom's inheritance. I have to admit, I’ve been jumping on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) bandwagon with much enthusiasm. For those young generation preferring in green and safe medicine for treatment of chronic conditions, tendency to use herbs in home cooking is becoming more and more prominent. Chinese herbs as a curative food can be complemented by western medicine which is best known solution for acute conditions. This herbal black chicken soup is also widely consumed during confinement at Chinese homes for healing purposes and well-being boosting.

My mom always raves about the goodness of black chicken to me. Sweet in taste, neutral in nature (not being warming or cooling), black chicken tonifies and nourishes the Yin of kidney and liver and bring down fevers that are associated with Yin deficiency (养阴退热、补益肝肾). When I did my rare Sunday morning wet market browsing with my mom few days ago, she unhesitatingly grabbed me a whole black chicken to bring back to Penang. With this, I have no excuse of not boiling herbal chicken soup due to not able to snap up one in Penang Lip Sin wet market.

This tonic soup is comforting, nourishing and to top it all, nothing beats the warmth and affection embraced by a great mother!

For this Chinese herbal black chicken soup (药材乌鸡清补汤), you'll need :

Ingredients :
1 whole black chicken 乌鸡

Chinese Herbs (quantity as illustrated in photos below) :

Chinese Herbs Ingredients for Chinese Herbal Black Chicken Soup

Chinese herbs with their medicinal uses as listed below. Images start from upper left, clockwise :

qi zi (Chinese wolfberries or goji berries) 枸杞子
Channels (meridians) entered : liver, lung, kidney

Effects : Nourishes and tonifies the liver and kidney, helps eyesight, improves blurred vision, alleviates sore back, strengthens the leg and stomach,  improves circulation, boosts immune function, promotes longevity.

功效 : 养肝，补肾，滋阴，明目，益气等。

yu zhu (Pharmaceutical name : Polygonatum odoratum) 玉竹

Channels (meridians) entered : lung, stomach

Effects : Nourishes Yin, promotes the production of body fluids and relieves dryness syndrome.

功效 : 养阴，润燥，除烦，止渴。治热病阴伤，咳嗽烦渴，虚劳发热，消谷易饥，小便频数。

bei qi (Pharmaceutical name : Astragalus propinquus) 北芪

Channels (meridians) entered : lung, spleen

Effects :  Treatment of Qi deficiency, spleen deficiency and Yang deficiency, weakness and fatigue, numbness of limb, morbidity after stroke, sweating, treatment of diabetes, promotes pus discharge and tissue regeneration, promotes diuresis to reduce edema. 

功效 : 补益肺气，用於气虚，脾虚，阳虚，体弱疲倦，肢体麻木，中风后遗症，自汗，糖尿病。排脓，生肌。利尿消肿。

dang gui (Pharmaceutical name : Angelica sinensis) 当归

Channels (meridians) entered :  heart, liver, spleen

Effects : Tonic for blood and for regulating the menses, lubricates bowels to correct constipation, reduces swelling, expels pus, relieves pain.

功效 : 补血活血，调经止痛，润肠通便，是中药妇科良药。

red dates (Chinese dates or red jujube) 红枣

Channels (meridians) entered : stomach, spleen

Effects : Treats weakness, shortness of breath, lassitude, lack of appetite, loose stools due to spleen deficient

功效 :  强筋壮骨，补血行气，滋颐润颜。

dang shen (Pharmaceutical name : Codonopsitis Pilosulae) 党参

Channels (meridians) entered : lung, spleen

Effects : Corrects blood deficiency, invigorates Qi (lack of appetite, fatigue, thirst, diarrhea, vomiting, polapse of uterus, stomach, rectum due to spleen deficient), improves digestive system.

功效 : 补中益气，养血补肺。

huai shan (Pharmaceutical name : Dioscoreae Oppositae) 淮山

Channels (meridians) entered : spleen, lung, kidney

Effects : Invigorates Qi, nourishes Yin, controls spermatorrhea and reduces urination.

功效 :  补脾养胃，生津益肺，补肾涩精。

1000ml water

Seasoning :

Salt to taste

Chinese Herbs Inventory for Gladys Kock Home Cooking

Chinese Herbs Ingredients for Chinese Herbal Black Chicken Soup

Method :

1. Cut whole black chicken into 4 big chunks, trim any excess skin and fat. Rinse black chicken and all Chinese herbs thoroughly and drain, set aside.

2. Parboil or scald the black chicken into boiling water and skim away any excess or visible fats. Black chicken is then removed and set aside.

3. In a clean stockpot or deep claypot, pour in 1000ml water and let it boils. When the water is rolling boil, put the black chicken and all the Chinese herbs into the pot. Turn to low heat and simmer for 1 to 2 hours. Alternatively, slow cooker (crockpot) or double-boiler can be used.

Simmer Chinese Herbal Black Chicken Soup in a Claypot

4. Add a pinch of salt to taste 5 minutes before serving the herbal soup.

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Steamed Herbal Seabass (Ikan Siakap) Recipe | Easy Asian Cooking

This Chinese herbal fish recipe entails the subtle use of herbal ingredients that is initially bring to boil into a thick stock, then the herbal gravy is poured over the fish and steam at high heat until cooked. The herbal gravy bestows a myriad of health qualities, gives a potent punch, has a delicate taste and bear an aroma of Chinese herbs.

You can hop on the health bandwagon with this quick and easy dish - steamed herbal seabass which brings an irresistibly down-to-earth herbal whiff of home-cooked goodness. Famously lauded for its prized disease-busting and remedial qualities, Chinese herbal broth can be easily assimilated by taking simple gulps or take a step further by steaming with fish, which you will have one-in-a-plate-dish that is chock full of luscious herbal goodness and protein-laden.

Google for some medicinal functions of herbal ingredients used in the dish and summarized as below.

• Codonopsis pilosula or dang shen (党参) : lower blood pressure, increase red and white blood cell count, cure appetite loss, strengthen the immune system and replenish qi.
• Chinese Angelica sinensis or dang gui (当归) : treat gynecological ailments, fatigue, mild anemia and high blood pressure.
• Poria cocos or fu shen (茯神) : remove spleen dampness and used in herbal remedies for insomnia, restlessness, fatigue, sleep disorder, tension and nervousness.
• Polygonatum odoratum or yu zhu (玉竹) : traditionally used in a range of afflictions from menopause to broken bones, such as expedite the healing of cuts and bruises, skin irritations and inflammations, good for acne, blemishes and all kinds of imperfections of the skin, alleviate a range of symptoms associated with menopause, indigestion, diabetes, broken bones, insomnia, kidney pains, and even infertility.
• Red dates (红枣) : strengthen the functions of heart and lung, nourish stomach and spleen, increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain to improve memory and promote clear thinking.
• Chinese wolfberries or qi zi (杞子) : has antioxidant properties with potential benefits against cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, vision-related diseases, having neuroprotective propertiesor as an anticancer and immunomodulatory agent.

Shelving nutritional goodwill aside, this easy yet healthy dish is also a smart choice for those who keep a tab on their waistlines. This is one of the dish that I would go for whenever I feel low on the health level and require some tonic replenishments, without sacrifying the time, taste or nutrient.

Here's the how-to recipe for you to make your own steamed herbal seabass at home.  药材蒸石甲鱼食谱

Ingredients :

1 seabass (ikan siakap), about 600g, cleaned (石甲鱼)

some coriander leaves and spring onions for garnishing (芫茜葱)

Herbal Ingredients :

6 pieces Codonopsis pilosula or dang shen (党参)

2 pieces Angelica sinensis or dang gui (当归)

1 piece Poria cocos or fu shen (茯神)

6 pieces Polygonatum odoratum or yu zhu (玉竹)

6 red dates, seeds removed (红枣)

1 tbsp Chinese wolfberries or qi zi (杞子)

300ml water

Seasoning :

1 tsp oyster sauce

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp shaoxing wine (绍兴酒)

Dash of sesame oil and pepper

Method :

1. Bring all the herbal ingredients (above-mentioned), 300ml water and seasoning to boil. Lower the heat and simmer until half of the original stock left. Remove the stock and set aside.

2. The cleaned seabeass is placed in a steaming plate. Pour the herbal gravy over the fish and steam at high heat for 12 minutes or until cooked. Remove the steaming plate, sprinkle coriander leaves and spring onions on top. Serve hot with piping hot fluffy rice.

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Steamed Bean Curd with Minced Meat and Preserved Radish Recipe | Easy Asian Cooking

An easy, quick and healthy tofu (soybean curd) recipe, topped with minced meat, preserved radish and shallot. This humble dish has a soft character that envelops the palate in a comforting embrace.

Tofu (soybean curd) is an incredibly versatile, soy-based, protein rich, nutrient dense and high calorie food. By pairing it with right blend of ingredients, you will turn this budget-friendly, homey, bland and squishy ingredient into a superior taste dish that's bound to impress, varied from lip-smacking entrée to creamy sauces and delectable vegan desserts. The beauty of tofu is, it absorbs the flavours of the surrounding ingredients it is cooked with.

Perhaps as unappetizing as it sounds or as unappealing as the photos seen, this simple dish does not disappoint. In fact, this soft, smooth, silky and custard-like white tofu with the generous toppings of minced meat, preserved radish and shallot is surprisingly satisfactory.

This quick, easy and hassle-free dish is a wise choice for a speedy mid-week dinner. It take less than 30 minutes to whip up.

菜香豆腐食谱（菜脯肉脺蒸豆腐）

Ingredients :
2 block white Chinese-style soft bean curds (soft tofu)
1 tbsp oil
2 tbsp shallot, peeled and chopped
4 tbsp preserved radish, soaked and chopped (菜脯)
200g minced meat

Seasoning :
2 tbsp oyster sauce
1/2 tbsp sugar
dash of sesame oil and pepper
2 tbsp chopped spring onion

Method :

1. Heat up 1 tbsp oil in a skillet, sauté chopped shallot until fragrant. Then add in chopped preserved radish and stir-fry until aromatic. It is followed by adding in minced meat and seasoning, quick stir-fry to mix well. Remove the mixtures from skillet, and now the toppings is poured over the bean curds.

2. Steam the bean curds (with toppings) at high heat for 10 minutes. Sprinkle chopped spring onion over the steamed bean curds. Serve hot with fluffy rice.

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Bitter Gourd with Mushrooms & Chicken Recipe | Easy Asian Cooking

A simple low carb and diabetic recipe for healthy eating, taking advantage of bitter gourd's therapeutic and curative properties.

If you are looking for simple dish that could satisfy your comfort food craving, I think you have found it. Bitter gourd, mushroom and chicken are all the ultimate comfort food with ultimate budget.

As it approaches end of the week, my storage in fridge is almost cleared. It appear to me that the idea of having the remaining vegetables (consists of bitter gourd, chicken breast, carrot, spring onions, water chestnuts) combined in this dish is the greatest ever!

As the name implies, bitter gourd (bitter melon) is a vegetable-fruit that is bitter in taste. If you find yourself not used to bitter taste, clean it in cold running water and brush it with soft vegetable brush, then soak in in salt water for about half an hour before cooking to lessen the bitter flavor. But if you can generally take bitter taste, try it! At least for all its healthful virtues, in the fact that it help to improve diabetic and toxemia conditions. It contains a hypoglycaemic or insulin-like principle (designated as 'plant insulin'), which have been found highly beneficial in lowering the blood and urine sugar levels. In addition to this, it offers excellent medicinal virtues for ailments such as blood disorders, cholera, improve energy and stamina level, alleviate eye problems, treatment of a hangover (for its alcohol intoxication properties), as a immune booster, constipations and piles, improve psoriasis conditions and respiratory disorders.

冬菇鸡炒苦瓜食谱

Ingredients : 材料

300g boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized pieces 300g 去骨鸡胸肉，切成鸡丁状

200g bitter gourd 200g苦瓜

2 tbsp oil 2大匙油

1 tbsp chopped garlic 1大匙蒜茸

50g carrot, cut into 3cm long strips 50g红萝卜，切成3公分条状

5 water chestnuts, sliced 5粒马蹄，切片

3 dried chinese mushrooms, soaked and sliced thick 3片冬菇，浸软，切厚片

3 dried red chilli, soaked, seeded and shredded 3条干辣椒，浸软，去籽，切丝

2 stalks spring onions, cut into sections 2棵青葱，切段，约3公分长

Marinade : 腌料

1/2 tsp salt 1/2小匙盐

Dash of pepper and sesame oil 少许胡椒粉和麻油

1 tsp light soya sauce 1小匙生抽

1 tbsp corn flour 1大匙粟粉

1 tbsp water 1大匙水

Seasoning : 调味料

2 tbsp oyster sauce 2大匙蚝油

1 tbsp light soya sauce 1大匙生抽

3/4 tsp salt 3/4小匙盐

1 tsp sugar 1小匙糖

1/4 tsp pepper 1/4小匙胡椒粉

1/2 tbsp sesame oil 1/2大匙麻油

1 tsp corn flour 1小匙粟粉

150ml water 150毫升水

Method : 做法

1. Season chicken with marinade for 30 minutes.

鸡丁加入腌料拌匀，腌30分钟。

2. Cut bitter gourd into half, length-wise and scoop out the red seeds and cottony pith with a spoon edge. Cut into thick slices with approximately 3cm length.

把苦瓜切半(长形)，以汤匙边缘去籽。切厚片，约三公分长。

To get rid of bitter juices of bitter gourd, sprinkle a pinch of salt over the cut slices. Toss slices around in the salt and leave to stand for at least a minute to remove bitterness, wash the slices under running cold water and slightly squeeze out juices. Drain the bitter gourd slices.

撒少许盐在切好的苦瓜上，来回翻转，然后在水喉下冲洗，稍微挤出苦瓜汁，减低苦味。

3. Heat oil and fry chicken for 1–2 minutes. Dish and drain.

烧热油，翻炒鸡丁一至二分钟。捞起沥干油分。

4. Saute chopped garlic with remaining oil until fragrant. Add in bitter gourd slices and mushrooms and stir-fry. Pour in seasoning and bring to boil. Cover the wok to simmer for 2–3 minutes. Cook until bitter gourd is limp or to desired softness.

留少许油爆香蒜茸,加入苦瓜及冬菇片翻炒。将调味料加入煮滚，加盖焖约二至三分钟。

5. Return chicken to the wok and add in water chestnuts, carrot and chilli. Cook for 5–6 minutes or until sauce is thick. Add spring onions then dish out and serve.

加入炒好的鸡丁，将马蹄，红萝卜及辣椒加入，转小火再焖五至六分钟至汁浓，加入青葱段炒匀便可享用。

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Salted Chicken in Glutinous Rice Wine Recipe | Easy Asian Cooking

A low fat recipe with kampung chicken, tinged with the sweetness of Glutinous Rice Wine and the fiery, pungent flavour of fresh ginger. This ginger-enriched dish also consumed during confinement to expel winds afterbirth.

Rice Wine (mijiu, 米酒) is a clear and sweet chinese rice wine (like Japanese sake) made from glutinous fermented rice, drunk as a beverage or used in cooking exclusively in East and Southeast Asian countries. It is categorized as a form of chinese "yellow liquor"(huangjiu or 黄酒).

My hubby bought me a bottle of glutinous rice wine when I was in confinement 2 years ago and it was left unattended in my kitchen cabinet after the confinement. I decided to use it for my cooking when I'm trying to keep up with what's in the kitchen weeks ago. I bumped into this recipe and was happily give this a whirl, wondering on the medley of flavors that would be produced from!

Salted chicken that is imbued with the sweetness from Glutinous Rice Wine is juicy, tender on throats, sweet (but not overly sweet), zingy and full of bright and vibrant flavor! Shredded ginger round out the flavors, giving the kampung chicken a good kick!

黄酒咸醉鸡食谱

Ingredients : 材料

1 kampung chicken, cut into half and cleaned 1只甘榜鸡，开半，洗净

1/2 tsp sesame oil 1/2小匙麻油

2 tsp salt 2小匙盐

1/2 tbsp oil 1/2大匙油

2 tbsp shredded ginger 2大匙姜丝

300ml glutinous rice wine 300ml糯米酒/黄酒

Seasoning : 调味料

1/2 tsp salt 1/2小匙盐

1/2 tsp sugar 1/2小匙糖

Method : 做法

1. Stir-fry sesame oil and salt in a wok at low heat until fragrant. Dish up and rub all over the chicken. Put into fridge and marinate for 6 hours.

先将麻油和盐放入瓁里用小火炒香，然后涂抹在鸡肉上，放入雪柜腌6小时。

2. Steam the marinated chicken at high heat for 25 minutes or until cooked. Remove and cut into serving pieces.

将腌好的鸡以大火蒸25分钟或至熟，取出斩块上碟。

3. Heat up oil and saute shreded ginger until fragrant. Add in glutinous rice wine, seasoning and bring to boil. Pour over chicken and serve.

烧热油爆香姜丝，加入糯米酒和调味料煮滚，淋在鸡上即可享用。

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Papaya Soup with American Ginseng & Black Chicken Recipe | Easy Asian Cooking

Traditional low fat and healthy herbal soup recipe which offers excellent medicinal virtues, is brothed with papaya, black chicken and american ginseng, also a great confinement recipe for breatfeeding mums.

I like to broth traditional Chinese-styled soups especially whenever I feel the body is in need of some replenishment in one area or another.

Papaya Soup with American ginseng and black chicken is said to nourish kidneys, replenish blood, enhance digestion system and strengthen bones and tendons. This traditional low fat and healthy herbal soup is also a great confinement recipe for breastfeeding mums. The selected papaya should not be too ripe (1/3 ripen, with the criteria of papaya's skin slightly greenish-yellow in color).

As for black chicken, beyond being evil-smelling or bitter-tasting, the soup however, is tinged with sweetness from sweet dates and papaya. Black chicken enriched in protein, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, B1, B2, C, E, and it helps to replenish blood and Qi (boosting), liver and kidneys, expel body heat and regulate menstrual ailments. Traditional Chinese medicine has held that chicken soup made with black chicken meat is a curative food where it is usually used to make broth and braising.

Concocted from American ginseng, sweet almonds and sweet dates, the soup incorporates all the herbal essence in promoting general health. American ginseng is root of a plant similar to Korean ginseng, but it has the Yin properties which helps to clean excessive Yang in the body, whereas sweet almonds (sweet apricot kernels) target the lungs and sweet dates target the stomach and spleen.

After imbibing a bowl of this soup, overall balancing out the yin and yang within seems to be compromised.

(Philosophy of Yin and Yang in the sphere of food : Yang foods are believed to increase the body's heat (raise the metabolism), while Yin foods are believed to decrease the body's heat (lower the metabolism). The ideal belief is to consume both types of food to keep the body in balance).

A healthy chinese tonic soup recipe laid out as below.

Ingredients : 材料

1 whole black chicken (rinsed, chopped)

1 papaya (peeled, diced)

40g sweet almonds (南杏)

20g American ginseng(sliced)(花旗參)

2 sweet dates (蜜枣)

5 bowls water

Seasoning : 调味料

Salt adequate

Method : 做法

1. Scald the black chicken into boiling water. Drain up for use.

将黑鸡沸过水，捞起沥干备用。

2. Bring the water to boil into a boiling pot. Put in all ingredients and bring to boil. Simmer for 2 hours with mild flame.

煲滚清水，倒入全部材料煮沸，再以中火熬约两小时。

3. Season with salt. Stir well and ready to serve.

下盐调味搅匀后即可上桌。

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Herbal Chicken in Aluminium Parcel Recipe | Easy Asian Cooking

An easy to prepare tender herbal chicken (preferably kampung chicken) wrapped in aluminium parcel which is delicately infused with chinese herbs, this is also the best mantra for simple confinement recipe.

I adore traditional chinese herbs dishes especially whenever I am hard pressed for time, besides its undeniably excellent medicinal virtues, it's also easy to prepare with minimum of fuss. Most of the traditional chinese herbs are all thrown in a pot which is bring to broth, simmer, stew or braise, which require minimum attention.

Using Aluminium foil to wrap and cook in boiling water is one of the greatest cooking techniques ever invented. Besides preserving its moist, keeping the chicken meat succulent and tender, it also preventing the chinese herbs mixture from flowing out. It's full of flavour and packs a wallop of heat. The chicken is delicately infused with aromatic herbs, making this a scrumptious meal on its own. Just by giving me this and a plate of piping hot rice and I am set.

Here's some indication of the chinese herbs used. Although it is a bit hard to come across chinese herbs in some non Asian areas, it is definitely worth the search, considering its therapeutic and curative properties.

Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root) 当归, has been used to promote menstrual flow, as an abortifacient, antiseptic, expectorant, diuretic, and as a cure for the plague. It tastes sweet, bitter, acrid.

qi zi (Chinese wolfberries fruit) 枸杞子, resemble tiny red currants are said to nourish and tonify the liver, lung, kidney and improve vision. The berries are usually fresh and sometimes used when it is dried. Goji Berry is mostly used to treat kidney, liver, eye, and skin problems, diabetes, tuberculosis, anxiety, and insomnia. It also helps to lower the blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They are known to improve the state of health, strengthen the immune system and increasing the longevity and vitality of the human kind.

If you are looking for a quick and nutritious traditional chinese herbs recipe, then look no further because this easy chicken recipe has your answers. This simple yet nutritious recipe is bound to please and it's definitely a quick 'fix' for looming hunger pangs. Serves 5.

前阵子到中药行买了些药材给临产的妹妹，妈妈就可以煲些药材给她产后补身子。当然，自己也买了些储存起来，平时也可煲些药材汤喝。

而焗当归马来鸡就不必费力再跑中药行一趟咯，药材随手拈来就有！

这是另外一道用锡箔纸烹饪的菜肴，不费时，也不费力！ :-) 由于锡箔纸封住了鸡汁流失的机会，所以鸡肉尝起来特别鲜甜，滑嫩，入味。

当归的功效具有补血，行血，润肠，保肝，调经，加强发育作用。杞子，补肝，肺，肾，改善视网。每月一次煲当归药材，对女性滋补养身，调理身子其实不错！

银式焗当归马来鸡食谱

Ingredients : 材料
1 kampung chicken, cut into pieces 1只马来鸡，斩块
8 slices dang gui 8片当归
1 tbsp qi zi 1大匙杞子
1 tbsp shredded ginger 1大匙姜丝

Seasoning : 调味料
2 tbsp salt 2小匙盐
1 tbsp oyster sauce 1大匙蚝油
2 tbsp shaoxing cooking wine 2大匙紹兴酒
1/2 tbsp sugar 1/2大匙糖
1 sheet of Aluminium foil 1张锡箔纸
300ml water 300ml水

Method : 做法

1. Mix all ingredients with seasoning. Wrap with Aluminium foil and seal tightly.
将全部材料和调味料搅匀，用锡箔纸包好。

2. 300ml water bring to boil in a clean wok. Place the chicken parcel into the wok, cover with lid and steam for 20-25 minutes medium low heat until the water is dry and the chicken parcel puffs up. Ready to serve.It goes well with piping hot rice.
将300ml水倒入干净的瓁煮滚，放入锡箔纸包，加盖，以中小火煮20-25分钟，至水烧干及锡箔纸包鼓起，即可取出享用。

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