Steamed Chicken with Black Mushrooms and Bok Choy

Ingredients for Steamed Chicken with Black Mushrooms and Bok Choy

• 12 dried shiitake mushrooms* (1 to 35g )

• 475ml boiling-hot water

• 1.1kg skinless chicken thighs (bone-in)

• 60ml soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine or medium-dry Sherry

• 2 tablespoons cornflour

• 1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil

• 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 3 spring onions, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger

• 675g baby bok choy (6 to 8), trimmed, halved lengthwise, and washed well

• Accompaniment: steamed rice

• Garnish: thinly sliced spring onion

• a heavy cleaver

• a 13- to 14-inch wok with a lid and a 9-inch round metal cooling rack or a deep 12-inch skillet fitted with a 12-inch steamer insert

• a 9- to 9 1/2-inch (6-cup) deep-dish pie plate

How to make Steamed Chicken with Black Mushrooms and Bok Choy

Soak shiitakes in boiling-hot water in a bowl until softened, about 30 minutes. Cut out and discard stems, then squeeze excess liquid from caps and discard soaking liquid.

Hack each chicken thigh crosswise through bone into thirds with cleaver.

Stir together soy sauce, rice wine, cornflour, sesame oil, and salt in a large bowl until smooth, then add chicken, mushroom caps, spring onions, and ginger and toss well to coat. Marinate at room temperature, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes.

Put rack into wok and add enough water to reach just below it. (If using a steamer insert, use approximately 4 inches of water.) Cover wok (or skillet) and bring water to a boil. Transfer chicken mixture to pie plate and put in wok (or skillet), then steam, covered, stirring once, until chicken is just cooked through, about 25 minutes.

While chicken is steaming, cook bok choy, uncovered, in a 4- to 6-quart pot of (unsalted) boiling water until just tender, 7 to 9 minutes, then drain in a colander.

Carefully remove pie plate from wok. Arrange bok choy around edge of a large deep platter and spoon chicken and sauce in centre.

*Available at Asian markets, many supermarkets, and Uwajimaya (800-889-1928).

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.