Try this quick and easy method to make dim sum style chicken feet. This home-style recipe offers the same flavour and tenderness with less time and effort.
鳳爪 (fung6 zaau2 | feng4 zhao3) : chicken’s feet (dim sum) – CantoDict. This term is used in both Cantonese and Mandarin/Standard written Chinese.
What are dim sum chicken feet
Like Har Gow, Cheung Fun and Char Siu Bao, chicken feet are a classic dish found in all authentic Cantonese dim sum restaurants. You may find it strange, but it’s a go-to delicacy for many Chinese diners, myself included.
The Chinese name of this dish Chi Zhi Feng Zhao/豉汁凤爪 literally means fermented black bean sauce phoenix claws (a romanticised term for chicken feet). It’s loved for the umami-rich, complex flavours and pleasantly gelatinous texture.
Step 2 (Optional): Air-fry and soak
Preheat your air fryer at 200°C/390°F. Coat the blanched chicken feet with oil (spray or rub with hands). Place them in the air fryer basket and set the timer to 10 minutes or until you see blisters forming on the skin. While frying, open the basket to flip and shake the feet a couple of times.
Once done, immerse the feet in a large bowl of cold water. Allow to soak in the refrigerator for 2 hours (or overnight). Then drain well.
NOTE: The air-frying and soaking process is an alternative to the traditional deep-frying and soaking method. This procedure softens the chicken feet’ skin and gives them a wrinkled look. It’s perfectly fine to skip this pre-cooking step altogether and simply prolong the braising time in the next step.
Heat oil in a wok/pot. Add garlic, ginger, dried chilli, star anise, bay leaves and fermented black beans. Fry over low heat until the garlic turns lightly golden and fragrant.
Put in the chicken feet, then add oyster sauce, light and dark soy sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, and sugar. Pour in about 400ml (1¾ cups) of hot water.
Bring it to a boil then cover with a lid. Leave to simmer over low heat for 30 minutes or so until the chicken feet’ skin becomes tender.
Remove the lid and turn the heat to high to boil down the braising liquid. When the broth thickens, transfer to a plate and serve.
NOTE: If the chicken feet haven’t been air-fried, extend the braising time to 40 minutes. You can use an instant pot or a slow cooker for the braising step.
Chicken Feet: Just Like Dim Sum! (鳳爪)
FAQ
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