Beggar's chicken
._(2).jpg)
Beggar's Chicken is a traditional Chinese dish originating from the region of Jiangsu in eastern China. The dish is notable for its unique preparation method, which involves encasing a whole chicken in clay and baking it. This method is said to preserve the moisture and flavor of the chicken, resulting in a tender and aromatic dish.
History[edit | edit source]
The origins of Beggar's Chicken are steeped in folklore. One popular legend suggests that a beggar, having stolen a chicken, had no means to cook it. He wrapped the chicken in mud and baked it in a fire pit. When he cracked open the hardened mud, he discovered that the chicken was cooked to perfection. This method was later adopted by the imperial kitchens, and the dish became a delicacy.
Preparation[edit | edit source]
The traditional preparation of Beggar's Chicken involves several steps:
- A whole chicken is marinated with a mixture of soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and various spices.
- The marinated chicken is then stuffed with aromatic herbs such as ginger, scallions, and star anise.
- The chicken is wrapped in lotus leaves to enhance its flavor.
- The lotus-wrapped chicken is then encased in a layer of clay or dough.
- The clay-encased chicken is baked in an oven or over an open fire until the clay hardens.
Once cooked, the clay is cracked open to reveal the succulent chicken inside. The lotus leaves are removed, and the chicken is served hot.
Cultural Significance[edit | edit source]
Beggar's Chicken is not only a culinary delight but also a symbol of resourcefulness and ingenuity. It is often served during special occasions and festivals in China, particularly in the Jiangsu region. The dish has also gained popularity in various Chinese restaurants around the world.
Variations[edit | edit source]
While the traditional method involves baking the chicken in clay, modern adaptations may use dough or other materials for encasing the chicken. Some variations also include additional ingredients such as mushrooms, chestnuts, and Chinese sausage.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
This Chinese cuisine related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
