Summer Fresh Clam, Winter Melon,
Chicken Hotpot

A refreshing summer hotpot combining sweet fresh clams, tender marinated chicken, and winter melon that absorbs all the savory, nourishing broth.

Ingredients

• 500 g fresh clams
• 400 g chicken pieces
• 300 g winter melon
• 150 g enoki mushrooms
• 50 g Cordyceps militaris mushrooms
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tsp starch
• 1 tbsp cooking oil
• to taste salt
• to taste scallion and ginger water
• to taste ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp red goji berries
• 2 stalks fresh green onions

Instructions

1. 1Purge clams of sand

   

   Place the fresh clams into a large glass bowl filled with clean water, then add salt and a few drops of oil to encourage the clams to expel sand and impurities.

   Tip: Adding a little oil creates a thin film on the water surface, reducing oxygen and speeding up the sand purging process.
2. 2Pour scallion and ginger water over chicken

   

   Pour freshly prepared scallion and ginger water evenly over the cleaned chicken pieces arranged on a plate to help remove gamey odors and infuse foundational aromatics.

   Tip: Squeezing scallions and ginger in warm water releases their essential oils effectively before pouring over the meat.
3. 3Add light soy sauce

   

   Drizzle light soy sauce evenly over the chicken pieces to provide a savory baseline flavor and slight color enhancement before mixing.

   Tip: Pour in a circular motion to coat as many pieces evenly as possible.
4. 4Season with black pepper

   

   Grind fresh black pepper directly over the seasoned chicken pieces to add a mild aromatic warmth and subtle spice.

   Tip: Freshly ground black pepper yields a much stronger aroma than pre-ground pepper.
5. 5Coat with starch

   

   Sprinkle starch evenly across the seasoned chicken pieces to help lock in the juices and tenderize the meat during cooking.

   Tip: Starch coating also helps create a smoother texture and thickens the subsequent soup broth slightly.
6. 6Mix and marinate the chicken

   

   Using gloved hands, thoroughly massage the seasonings, soy sauce, pepper, and starch into the chicken pieces to ensure each piece is evenly coated and flavored.

   Tip: Massage gently for a minute to help the meat absorb the marinades more effectively.
7. 7Spray oil and rest the chicken

   

   Lightly spray a little bit of oil onto the marinated chicken pieces to lock in moisture and flavor. Let the chicken rest for 20 minutes to allow the marinade to fully penetrate the meat before cooking.

   Tip: Resting the chicken with a light coating of oil prevents it from drying out and helps achieve a tender texture.
8. 8Prepare the winter melon

   

   Take a large cleaver and carefully peel the thick green skin off the winter melon on a wooden cutting board. Ensure all the outer skin and hard edges are completely removed to reveal the tender white flesh underneath.

   Tip: Hold the cleaver firmly and use steady downward strokes to safely peel away the tough outer skin.
9. 9Slice the winter melon

   

   Slice the peeled winter melon into uniform, bite-sized pieces on the wooden cutting board. Uniform sizing ensures that the melon cooks evenly and absorbs the savory flavors of the broth harmoniously.

   Tip: Cut the pieces evenly so they cook at the same rate and maintain a tender-firm texture in the pot.
10. 10Layer the winter melon in the pot

    

    Arrange the sliced winter melon pieces neatly at the bottom of a clean red pot. This forms a base layer that will absorb all the savory juices and richness from the chicken and clams as it simmers.

    Tip: Lying the melon flat at the bottom creates an even foundation for the subsequent ingredients.
11. 11Add enoki mushrooms

    

    Place a generous portion of trimmed enoki mushrooms directly on top of the winter melon layer inside the pot. The mushrooms add a delicate crunch and absorb the flavorful broth as the dish cooks.

    Tip: Separate the enoki mushroom clusters slightly before adding them to help them distribute evenly across the melon.
12. 12Add Cordyceps militaris mushrooms

    

    Scatter vibrant Cordyceps militaris mushrooms evenly over the top of the enoki mushrooms in the pot. These mushrooms add a distinct earthy aroma and a beautiful pop of color to the summer fresh pot.

    Tip: Spread the mushrooms evenly so their unique flavor infuses throughout the entire dish during simmering.
13. 13Add marinated chicken

    

    Place the marinated chicken pieces evenly on top of the enoki mushrooms and winter melon in the pot.

    Tip: Distribute the chicken pieces evenly to ensure they cook at the same rate.
14. 14Add cordyceps mushrooms

    

    Layer an additional portion of cordyceps militaris mushrooms directly on top of the chicken pieces.

    Tip: Spread the mushrooms across the surface to infuse their earthy flavor into the meat.
15. 15Cover and simmer

    

    Place the glass lid securely on the pot and let the contents simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.

    Tip: Keep the heat at medium-low to allow the ingredients to steam and release their natural juices.
16. 16Season with salt

    

    Remove the lid from the pot and sprinkle salt evenly over the cooked ingredients for final seasoning.

    Tip: Add salt toward the end of cooking to taste, ensuring the savory broth is well-balanced.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions