Savory Clam
Winter Melon Chicken Stew
A nourishing and comforting stew that layers tender marinated chicken, sweet winter melon, fresh clams, and vibrant cordyceps flowers in a naturally savory, golden broth.
This comforting stew relies on the natural alchemy of its ingredients rather than heavy stock. The winter melon serves as a sponge at the bottom of the pot, soaking up the savory drippings from the marinated chicken. The addition of fresh clams at the very end introduces a clean burst of seafood umami, while cordyceps flowers infuse the broth with a beautiful golden hue and an earthy, subtle mushroom flavor.
Ingredients
- 500 g fresh clams
- 500 g chicken pieces (bone-in preferred)
- 300 g winter melon
- 100 g enoki mushrooms
- 50 g fresh cordyceps flowers
- 2 stalks green onion
- 3 slices fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cooking wine
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp edible oil
Instructions
- 1Clean the clams
Place the clams in a glass bowl and add salt and a little edible oil to the water. This helps the clams to expel any sand or impurities before cooking.
Tip: Adding a small amount of oil helps simulate a natural environment, encouraging the clams to filter out sand. - 2Infuse the chicken
Prepare an infusion by mixing green onion and ginger with water, then pour it over the raw chicken pieces in a metal tray to build an aromatic foundation.
Tip: Ensure the chicken pieces are evenly coated for the best flavor absorption. - 3Marinate the chicken
Add light soy sauce, cooking wine, white pepper, salt, sugar, cornstarch, and a layer of oil to the chicken. Mix thoroughly by hand and let it marinate for 20 minutes to tenderize and season the meat.
Tip: Using cornstarch and oil helps lock in moisture, keeping the chicken tender during the steaming process. - 4Slice the winter melon
Carefully slice the winter melon on a wooden cutting board into uniform pieces suitable for layering in the pot.
Tip: Cut the slices to a similar thickness to ensure they cook evenly. - 5Layer the winter melon
Arrange the sliced winter melon at the bottom of the pot to create a base that will absorb the savory juices during cooking.
Tip: A flat, even layer of winter melon provides a stable foundation for the subsequent ingredients. - 6Add enoki mushrooms
Place a layer of fresh enoki mushrooms on top of the winter melon base in the pot to add texture and flavor.
Tip: Gently spread the enoki mushrooms out so they steam evenly. - 7Layer the chicken
Scatter a layer of cordyceps flowers over the mushrooms, then place the marinated chicken pieces evenly on top. Finish with another light layer of cordyceps flowers. Cover the pot and let the ingredients simmer together over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
Tip: Keep the chicken pieces consistent in size so they cook through at the same rate as the vegetables. - 8Add the clams
Open the lid, sprinkle in a little salt, and arrange the cleaned, live clams over the simmering chicken and vegetables. Cover and continue to simmer just until the clams pop open. Garnish with freshly chopped green onion before serving.
Tip: Only add the clams once the other ingredients are mostly cooked to prevent them from becoming rubbery.
