Baiyun Chicken Feet
Beat the Heat with Baiyun Chicken Feet
Baiyun chicken feet have been a must-order appetizer at all kinds of Cantonese teahouses for many years. During the sweltering hot summer, a cool, refreshing snack like Baiyun chicken feet is the perfect way to whet one’s appetite. Its crisp, spicy flavor makes it a very addictive snack.
Why is it Called Baiyun Chicken Feet?
Baiyun chicken feet is one of the most traditional appetizers served in Cantonese Dim Sum. Legend has it that Cantonese people who lived at the foot of Baiyun Mountain would wash chicken feet in fresh mountain water. They later discovered that the chicken feet washed with this alpine spring water tasted better than chicken feet washed with water from other sources, such as well water – and it was also crispier after being marinated. Because of this, people began to call chicken feet prepared using this marinated method “Baiyun chicken feet”.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (500 grams) chicken feet
- 6 slices ginger
- 2 pieces red chili pepper
Seasonings
- 2/3 cup (125 grams) white sugar
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) salt
- 2 tablespoons rice wine
- 1 cup white vinegar
Cooking Directions
Preparations
- Cut off the ends of the chicken toes. Wash feet clean. Clean red chili pepper and then cut into circular strips. Wash ginger and cut into slices.
How to make chicken feet marinade
- Add 2 cups of fresh water to pot. Add white sugar, salt, white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of rice wine. Boil over high heat, then allow to cool. Pour into a large glass container and put in refrigerator, thus making the sweet vinegar juice.
Pre-boil Chicken Feet
- Add chicken feet to the pot. Add enough fresh water to submerge the chicken feet. Add 1 tablespoon of rice wine and ginger slices. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then immediately scoop out chicken feet and wash with fresh water. Soak chicken feet in ice water for 30 minutes, then scoop them out.
- Tip: Soaking the chicken feet in ice water after boiling them will make the skin crispy and fresh.
Put it all together
- Add chicken feet and red chili pepper strips to glass container with the sweet vinegar juice. Cover container. After refrigerating for at least 8 hours, dish is ready to serve.