Recipes with Bird's Nest (1)

Lunar New Year is a big event for all ethnic groups in Singapore. Here's 2 recipes for parents to try out for the reunion dinner:

Bird's Nest Twin Prawn Delight

Ingredients:

• 20 gm bird's nest
• 200 gm shelled prawn meat
• 200 gm pork or chicken
• Oil for deep-frying

Seasonings:

• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 cup corn flour

Method (serves 4 – 6 persons):

1. Soak bird's nest in warm water for 1 hour
2. Slow-cook in coup stock for 1.5 hours
3. Combine prawn, pork or chicken and seasoning into blender and blend to a paste
4. Split the paste into 2 portions
5. For the 1st portion, form into small balls and coat in bird's nest, gently patting the bird's next into the mixture
6. Steam these prawn balls for 10 minutes
7. For remaining prawn paste, again form into small balls and coat with corn flour
8. Heat cooking oil in a wok over medium-high heat
9. Deep-fry for 5 minutes or until golden brown

Bird's nest with Quail/Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

• 15 gm bird's nest
• 80 gm small yam
• 2 egg whites
• 2 quails or 100 gms chicken meat

Sauce:

• 1cup superior stock
• 1/2 cup corn flour
• 1/2 cup water
  

Seasoning 1:

• 3 slices ginger
• 1 tbsp wine
• 4 cups water
  
• 1/2 tbsp cooking oil

Seasoning 2:

• 4 cups superior stock
• 1/2 tbsp wine
  
• dash of sesame oil
• pinch of white pepper
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• pinch of salt
  

Method (serves 4 – 6 persons):

1. Soak bird's next in hot water for 4 hours with lid on
2. Drain and combine with seasoning 1
3. Boil for 5 - 8 minutes and drain
4. If using quail - steam for 15 minutes, remove meat when cool and mince
5. If using chicken, just steam for 10 minutes, mince when meat is cool
6. Slice and steam yam until soft, then mash
7. Place yam, quail or chicken into blender with the sauce and grind to fine paste
8. Place paste on plate and steam for 0.5 hour
9. Finally, put paste, bird's nest and Seasoning 2 into pot and steam for 1 hour
   

As this soup requires longer cooking time, it would be good to prepare the bird's nest one day in advance. Happy bird nesting . . .