Old-Fashioned Chicken Soup
Kelp and Celtuce

A comforting, nostalgic chicken soup simmered with dried kelp, crisp celtuce, and orange cordyceps flowers, finished with a touch of chicken essence and fresh green onions.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken, chopped into pieces including feet
• 3 slices fresh ginger
• 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
• 20 g dried cordyceps flowers, soaked
• 30 g dried kelp, soaked and cut into large squares
• 200 g celtuce, thick sliced
• to taste salt
• 1 tsp chicken essence
• 2 stalks green onions, chopped

Instructions

1. 1Transfer Chicken to Wok

   

   Pour the drained, raw chopped chicken pieces and feet directly into a dry black wok.

   Tip: Ensure the chicken is well-drained of excess water before adding to the wok.
2. 2Add Ginger Slices

   

   Add slices of fresh ginger into the wok containing the raw chicken pieces.

   Tip: Ginger helps neutralize any fishy smell from the meat.
3. 3Sprinkle Sichuan Peppercorns

   

   Sprinkle a portion of Sichuan peppercorns over the chicken and ginger inside the wok.

   Tip: Sichuan peppercorns add a subtle fragrance to enhance the soups flavor profile.
4. 4Stir-Fry Chicken over Low Heat

   

   Stir-fry the chicken pieces over low heat in the wok until the meats surface appears slightly browned and excess fat begins to render out.

   Tip: Stir-frying on low heat prevents greasiness and increases fragrance.
5. 5Transfer to Clay Pot with Boiling Water

   

   Scoop and transfer the stir-fried chicken pieces directly into a black clay pot filled with boiling hot water.

   Tip: Always use boiling hot water so the chicken stews properly and becomes soft and tender.
6. 6Skim Foam from Broth

   

   Use a ladle to carefully skim off the foam accumulating on the surface of the boiling chicken broth.

   Tip: Skimming the foam ensures a cleaner, clearer, and better-tasting soup base.
7. 7Cover the clay pot

   

   Place the patterned white lid securely onto the black clay pot to trap the heat and moisture inside.

   Tip: Ensure the lid fits snugly to maintain a consistent simmering temperature.
8. 8Add cordyceps flowers

   

   Add the soaked orange cordyceps flowers into the simmering chicken soup using a spoon to enhance the color and impart a rich mushroom flavor.

   Tip: Soaking the cordyceps flowers beforehand helps release their flavor more effectively into the broth.
9. 9Cover and simmer again

   

   Put the patterned white lid back on the clay pot to let the soup continue simmering and absorbing the flavors of the added ingredients.

   Tip: Simmering on low heat ensures the ingredients meld together without boiling over.
10. 10Add sliced celtuce

    

    Pour thick slices of green celtuce directly from a container into the simmering chicken soup.

    Tip: Add vegetables towards the end of the cooking process to maintain a tender-crisp texture.
11. 11Add soaked kelp

    

    Add large pieces of pre-soaked, dark green kelp into the pot to enrich the broth with savory depth.

    Tip: Choose dry kelp and soak it thoroughly for the best natural flavor and texture.
12. 12Skim excess oil

    

    Use a white ladle to gently skim away excess yellowish oil from the surface of the soup to ensure a clean, light taste.

    Tip: Skimming periodically keeps the soup from becoming too greasy.
13. 13Season the Soup with Salt

    

    Sprinkle salt evenly over the layer of kelp in the soup pot to enhance the savory flavor of the broth.

    Tip: Season gradually so you can adjust the taste later before serving.
14. 14Add Chicken Essence

    

    Add chicken essence seasoning powder into the pot to enrich the savory depth of the soup.

    Tip: A small amount of chicken essence brings out a rich umami flavor that mimics traditional restaurant-style broths.
15. 15Stir the Soup Ingredients

    

    Use a ladle to gently stir the broth, chicken, kelp, and vegetables together so the seasonings dissolve and distribute evenly.

    Tip: Stir gently to avoid breaking up the tender chicken pieces and celtuce.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions