Salt Baked Chicken

Original Recipe by Amy Beh

1 whole kampung chicken, about 1.5–2kg
3kg coarse rock salt
2 large pieces of greaseproof paper

Seasoning (A)

1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp Shao Hsing wine

Herbs

20g tong sum
10g tong kwai
1 tbsp kei chi

Clean the chicken well and rub the skin and cavity with seasoning (A). Push the herbs into the cavity and use a small toothpick to hold the skin together to close the cavity.

Wrap the chicken with a double layer of greaseproof paper.

Stir-fry the coarse salt in a stainless steel wok for four to five minutes until the salt is hot. Make a well in the centre of the salt and put in the chicken parcel. Cover the parcel with the surrounding salt. Close the wok with a tight fitting cover. Cook for 20 minutes over a low heat.

Remove the parcel and stir-fry the salt again until it is hot. Repeat the cooking process for another 20 minutes over low heat. Remove the parcel and serve immediately.

Baked herbal chicken wings

Ingredients
8 whole chicken wings, ends cut off

Seasoning:
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp light soya sauce
1/4 tsp thick soya sauce
1 Tbsp Hua Tiau wine
1 Tbsp cooking oil

Herbs:
10g tong kwai, chopped or powdered
20g tong sum, cut into 8 pieces
10g pak kei
10g yok chok
1 tsp kei chi
1 Tbsp Hua Tiau wine
8 greaseproof paper bags, large enough to hold chicken wings
Oil for greasing bags

Method
1. Clean chicken wings and dry with a towel. Make a small slit under each section of the wings. Marinate with seasoning ingredients for at least an hour.

2. Meanwhile, rinse herbs and place in a bowl. Sprinkle Hua Tiau wine over, and steam over rapid boiling water for 12 minutes. Cool and stir into wings.

3. Lightly grease insides of paper bags and place a wing and some herbs in each bag. Fold opening and staple ends.

4. Place wings in the oven, preheated at 190C, for 20-25 minutes.

Baked chicken wings

Ingredients
Chicken wings
Soya sauce
Oyster sauce
White pepper powder
Sugar
Honey

Method
1. Clean chicken wing and drain dry.

2. Marinate chicken wings with all the ingredients and leave for 1 hour.

3. Put in the oven and cook over low fire for at least 1 hour.

- Contributed by reader Mary Liew