Originating in the Guangdong region, white-cut chicken is a traditional Cantonese dish. There are several different theories about its origin.
One theory is that the origin of white-cut chicken can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty. At that time, chefs in the Guangdong region used the boiled chicken method to show off the original flavor of the chicken. This simple cooking method was able to highlight the tender texture of the chicken, so it gradually spread.
Another theory is that the origin of white-cut chicken is related to the sacrificial activities in the Guangdong region. In some traditional rituals, people sacrifice their ancestors with a whole chicken, and then cut the chicken into small pieces and eat it. In order to maintain the original flavor of the chicken, they used the method of boiling it in plain, which is the prototype of white-cut chicken.
Either way, white-cut chicken has undergone a long period of development and evolution and has become a classic dish on the table in Guangdong. It is loved for its tender texture, light taste, and unique manufacturing process.
Now, white-cut chicken is not only a special dish in Guangdong, it has a certain popularity in the country and even the world. There may be some subtle differences from region to region, but the core feature is still to maintain the original flavor of the chicken.
Here's how it was made:
1. Prepare ingredients: fresh chicken, ginger slices, green onions, cooking wine, ice cubes, light soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, coriander, etc.
2. Handle the chicken: Wash the fresh chicken to remove the offal and impurities. If necessary, you can prick some small holes in the chicken skin with a toothpick to better absorb the flavor.
3. Boiled chicken: Bring a pot of water to a boil and add the ginger slices, green onions and cooking wine. Place the processed chicken in the pan and cook over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Stir the chicken at the right time to make sure all parts are cooked.
4. Chilled: Prepare some ice cubes and cool boils, remove the cooked chicken and immediately soak it in ice water for 10-15 minutes. This makes the chicken more tender and juicy.
5. Prepare the sauce: Mix the minced green onion and ginger, boil it with hot oil, add salt, chicken essence and other seasonings and mix it together, and adjust the proportion according to your personal taste.
6. Cut into cubes and serve: Remove the chilled chicken, drain it, cut it into pieces of appropriate size, and place it on a plate.
7. Serve with Sauce: Drizzle the sauce over the chicken and enjoy.
When making Cantonese white cut chicken, there are some tips and precautions to keep in mind:
- Choose fresh chicken: Fresh chicken tastes better, so it is recommended to choose fresh free-range chicken or three-yellow chicken.
- Control the time to cook the chicken: The time to cook the chicken should be adjusted appropriately according to the size and variety of the chicken, generally cooking for about 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through but not overcooked.
- Moderate heat: When cooking the chicken, the heat should be moderate, and the water should be slightly boiling, so that the chicken can be cooked evenly.
- Chilling makes the chicken smoother: Soak the cooked chicken in ice water for a while, which will make the chicken more tender and juicy.
- Be delicate with your knife: Pay attention to your knife when cutting the chicken and cut the chicken into even pieces to ensure a consistent taste.
- Serve with the right sauce: Cantonese white cut chicken is usually served with sauces such as minced ginger, scallion oil, or soy sauce, and you can choose the right sauce according to your personal taste.
- Pay attention to hygiene: When handling chicken and preparing ingredients, pay attention to hygiene to ensure that the ingredients are fresh and clean.
Hopefully, these tips and precautions will help you make delicious Cantonese white cut chicken. (Note: The kitchen of Toutiao Hui Food and Baijia Ah Er was released at the same time)
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