Ingredients
- ½ chicken, about 1 3/4 pounds
- ¼ pound smoked ham, preferably Chinese or Smithfield (see note)
- 10 thin slices fresh ginger
- 4 cups water
- ¼ cup dry Sherry or Shao Hsing wine
- ½ teaspoon salt, if desired
- 20 pork won ton (see recipe)
- ¼ cup finely chopped scallions or green onions
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn, peanut or vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Nutritional Information
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
532 calories; 34 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 14 grams monounsaturated fat; 7 grams polyunsaturated fat; 9 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 43 grams protein; 155 milligrams cholesterol; 1137 milligrams sodium
Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
Four servings
Preparation
- Bring enough water to the boil in a kettle to cover the chicken. Add the chicken and cook about one minute. Drain thoroughly.
- Put the chicken skin side up in a heavy soup bowl with a lid.
- Cut the ham into wide, thin slices. Cut each slice into rectangles measuring about one-and-one-half by three inches. Arrange the slices slightly overlapping on top of the chicken.
- Scatter the ginger pieces around the chicken. Add the four cups of water, wine and salt.
- Select a large, deep pan in which the soup bowl will fit comfortably or use a steamer with a rack in which the bowl will fit. Cover the soup bowl with a tight-fitting lid or with aluminum foil. If a pan is used, place a wire rack on the bottom.
- Place the bowl on the rack and pour water into the pan or steamer to a depth of about one or two inches. Cover the pan or steamer closely with a lid and bring the water to the boil. Steam the mixture for two hours, replenishing the water as necessary. Remove the chicken.
- Meanwhile, cook the won ton. Drain and add the won ton to the liquid in the soup bowl. Heat thoroughly.
- Combine the chopped scallions or green onions and chopped ginger in a small heat-proof bowl. Set aside.
- Combine the soy sauce, vinegar and sugar in another bowl.
- Heat the two kinds of oil in a wok or skillet. When it starts to smoke, add this immediately to the ginger and scallion or green onion mixture. Add the soy sauce mixture and stir to blend.
- Serve the won ton with equal portions of the soup.
- Let guests serve themselves the chicken, shredding it as desired with chopsticks or forks and dipping it in the sauce.
- Chinese smoked ham is available in most well-stocked Chinese groceries.
2 hours 40 minutes
Dining and Cooking