The broth is the essence of this dish, emitting a rich aroma from its golden hue. The chicken meat in the soup is tender and glistens, displaying its tempting appeal. With each sip, the broth’s robust chicken flavor and smooth texture are irresistible. On a refreshing morning, I’ve decided to stew a pot of fragrant Old Hen Soup for myself. It is a delicious and comforting dish that not only nourishes the body but also warms the heart. Get your kitchen ready, and let’s begin!
Ingredients for Old Hen Soup
| Female chicken | half |
| Cooking wine | 10g |
| Corn | 80g |
| Carrot | 50g |
| Shiitake mushroom | 40g |
| Jujube | 20g |
| Wolfberry | 15g |
| Salt | 6g |
Steps:
1.Cut the half old hen into pieces and place them in a pot. Add enough cold water and cooking wine. Heat over medium heat. When the water starts boiling, you will notice some scum floating on the surface. Use a ladle to gently skim off the scum. This will help make the broth clearer. Then remove the chicken and set it aside. This process requires patience, but it is necessary to stew a truly pure chicken soup.
2.Clean the clay pot and place the old hen inside. Add corn, carrots, mushrooms, and red dates. Pour enough water to cover all the ingredients. Cover the pot with a lid, bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer slowly. Time seems to slow down at this moment. You just need to sit and patiently wait for an hour to pass. During this process, you can feel the aroma and scent of home filling the air. It is not only a culinary journey but also a spiritual enjoyment.
3.After an hour, open the lid and be greeted by a rich aroma. You will see that the broth has become thick and golden translucent. This is the result of the essence of the chicken merging into the soup. Then add an appropriate amount of salt and goji berries to the soup. Be mindful not to add too much salt, as it can ruin the delicious taste of the soup. Goji berries are added to increase the nutritional value and enhance the color of the soup.
4.Now, your old hen soup is ready. Pour it into bowls and admire the golden broth with strands of chicken floating on top. You can already feel its richness and warmth. Take a sip, and the savory flavor of the chicken and its delicate texture will be irresistible.
Tips
1.First, the chicken meat needs to be blanched by boiling it in a pot of cold water. This gradual heating allows any impurities and foam from within the chicken to rise to the surface and be rinsed away.
2.When stewing the soup, bring it to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat to a simmer. It’s important to add enough water initially and refrain from adding more water during the cooking process.
You 3.can enhance the flavor and nutritional benefits by adding ingredients such as ginseng root, goji berries, and red dates to the soup.
The beauty of Old Hen Soup lies in the nostalgic taste it evokes—the taste of home. During the simmering process, all the nutrients from the old hen blend into the soup, filling it with the essence of maternal love. Drinking a bowl of this soup is like feeling the warm embrace of a mother, bringing joy to the heart.