Description
Enjoy the authentic flavors of traditional Dim Sum Chicken Feet, a beloved delicacy that involves blanching, frying, marinating in a savory black bean sauce, and steaming to tender perfection. This recipe captures the rich umami and aromatic spices to bring a classic Chinese dim sum experience right to your home kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Feet
- 1.5 lbs chicken feet (Trimmed and cleaned)
Sauce and Marinade
- 1 tablespoon fermented black beans (Douchi)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic (Minced)
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili garlic paste or flakes (Adjust to preferred heat level)
- 2 pieces star anise
- Water (to create sauce, quantity approximately 1/2 cup)
- Oil for frying (amount sufficient for deep frying, about 3 cups)
Instructions
- Blanch Chicken Feet: Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the cleaned chicken feet for 3 minutes. This step cleans and softens them. After blanching, drain and dry the chicken feet completely using paper towels or a clean cloth.
- Fry Chicken Feet: Heat oil in a deep pan suitable for frying. Fry the dried chicken feet in hot oil for about 8-10 minutes until they turn golden brown and puffed up. This creates a crispy exterior and improves texture.
- Cool and Soak: Immediately transfer the fried chicken feet to a bowl of ice water. Soak for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. This soaking process softens the skin and helps create the traditional texture.
- Prepare Sauce: In a bowl, mix the fermented black beans, minced garlic, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, granulated sugar, chili garlic paste, star anise, and sufficient water (about 1/2 cup) to form a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate Chicken Feet: Drain the soaked chicken feet and add them to the sauce mixture. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes so the flavors penetrate the feet.
- Steam Chicken Feet: Place the marinated chicken feet along with the sauce into a heatproof dish. Steam over high heat for 45 to 60 minutes until the feet are tender and infused with flavor.
Notes
- Ensure chicken feet are thoroughly cleaned and all nails trimmed before cooking.
- Soaking fried chicken feet in ice water is crucial for achieving the authentic texture.
- Adjust chili paste quantity to suit your preferred spice level.
- Steaming time can be adjusted slightly based on texture preference; longer steaming yields more tenderness.
- Fermented black beans add a distinctive umami flavor; rinse lightly if too salty.
