Braised Bear Paws
After multiple blanches to remove off-flavors and braising in chicken broth, the bear paw is added to a casserole filled with rich broth and simmered for an extended period.
Ingredients
Bear paws (front and back, 1 each, cut into strips on the back side, do not cut through the bottom)
1
Stewing chicken (chopped into pieces)
1
Pork shank (cut into pieces)
to taste
Cooked ham
to taste
Dried shrimp (soaked in water)
to taste
Refined salt
to taste
Ground white pepper
to taste
Monosodium glutamate
to taste
Shaoxing wine
to taste
Chicken stock
to taste
Licorice root
to taste
Caramel coloring
to taste
Scallion segments
to taste
Ginger slices
to taste
Instructions
1
Simmering the stock
Blanch the chopped chicken pieces and pork shank pieces in boiling water until cooked through, then remove and rinse clean. Pour fresh water into the pot, add the chicken pieces, pork shank pieces, dried shrimp (along with the water used to soak the shrimp), ham, licorice root, scallion segments, and ginger slices. Bring to a boil over heat, skim off the scum, and simmer into a rich stock.
2
Preparing the bear paws
Cut the bear paws into strips across the back (do not cut through the bottom). Place the paws bottom-side down in an aluminum pot, add cold water (the water level should generally be about 20 cm above the paws), bring to a boil for 5 to 6 minutes, then drain. Add the same amount of water and bring to a boil again. Repeat this blanching process 3 times (after each blanching, rinse with cold water for a while to remove the gamey smell).
3
Braising in chicken stock
Braise the bear paws in chicken stock for about 10 to 15 minutes, remove the paws, replace the stock with fresh chicken stock, and braise again for about 15 minutes. Repeat this process 3 times in total.
4
Clay pot braising
Use a large clay pot. Place two pairs of chopsticks in a cross shape at the bottom of the pot and secure them with string. Place a bamboo mat on top, pour in the rich stock, and arrange the bear paws bottom-side down (original text truncated).
