steamed szechuan chicken Recipe mr_morcilla
- 2 tbsp Szechuan peppercorns (available at Chinese Grocers)
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1/2 bu Cilantro, rinsed clean.
- 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bu scallions, whole, trimmed, split lengthwise
- A few hours, or the day before: prepare a rub by toasting peppercorns and salt in a small skillet over med-high heat until salt turns beige or golden.
- You can double or treble recipe and save for future uses.
- when cool enough to handle, grind salt-peppercorn mixture in very clean coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle
- On a clean cutting board, split rinsed chicken down the breast with shears or a big knife.
- pull breast halves apart and push chicken flat on cutting board.
- Coat entire chicken with peppercorn mixture.
- Dont oversalt!
- You may have some rub leftover.
- put chicken in non-reactive plate or bowl, cover with plastic wrap, leave to marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or, ideally, a day.
- Boil a couple quarts of water for steaming in the lower section of a large oriental steamer pan, or any steamer pan that will accommodate the chicken laid flat.
- Place chicken skin side up on steamer insert atop boiling water.
- Sprinkle ginger and garlic on chicken, then scallions and cilantro sprigs.
- Cover, adjust heat to med-high for a steady boil.
- Steam for 30-40 minutes, until juices are clear, or meat at thigh joints are no longer pink when cut.
- Serve whole on a platter, or cut into pieces Chinese style before serving.
- Serve with rice, of course, and a your favorite Chinese green vegetable.
- Delicious at room temp or cold too, or as a Chicken Salad ingredient.
szechuan, kosher salt, cilantro, fresh ginger, garlic, scallions
Taken from www.chowhound.com/recipes/steamed-szechuan-chicken-12022 (may not work)