{"id":37953,"date":"2024-05-10T14:39:49","date_gmt":"2024-05-10T18:39:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omnivorescookbook.com\/?p=37953"},"modified":"2024-05-10T14:39:50","modified_gmt":"2024-05-10T18:39:50","slug":"braised-chicken-feet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omnivorescookbook.com\/braised-chicken-feet\/","title":{"rendered":"Braised Chicken Feet (\u51e4\u722a)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Northern Chinese style braised chicken feet featuring a tender texture and a rich savory flavor that is full of umami. It\u2019s a great appetizer to wash down with a glass of cold beer and a fun snack for movie night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Braised<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the key characteristics of Chinese cuisine is that chefs use every part of the animal to create delicious dishes that are packed with flavor and full of nutritional benefits. No matter whether it’s a Chicken Liver Stir Fry<\/a>, Braised Pork Trotters<\/a>, or Beef Lungs in Red Oil Sauce<\/a>, these dishes use cheap cuts to make a satisfying meal that is quite addictive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Braised chicken feet was a snack I grew up eating. After school when I was hungry but dinner wasn\u2019t quite ready, my mom would serve a reheated plate of braised chicken feet. It would keep me busy for a good 30 minutes until dinner was ready. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After moving to the US, I sometimes order dim sum chicken feet in restaurants. But when I have time, I cook the northern style braised chicken feet using my mom\u2019s recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A quick introduction to chicken feet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chicken feet, also known as \u201c\u51e4\u722a\u201d (Feng Zhao) or “phoenix claws” in Mandarin, is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine. It is so popular that you can find them in almost any region, with very different tastes and cooking methods. In Sichuan, you will find the cold ones cooked until crunchy, served in a red oil based sauce. In Cantonese cuisine, the chicken feet are deep fried and then braised until extra tender, served in a small steamer. In northern China, we braise them in a savory soy sauce based sauce with a lot of aromatics and spices, to impart a rich flavor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chinese braised chicken feet are often served as a street snack, dim sum dish, or as an appetizer in a larger meal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Northern<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Chicken feet benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Braised chicken feet are not only enjoyed for their unique flavor and texture, but also offer several health benefits because they\u2019re packed with collagen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Good skin<\/strong>: Chicken feet are high in collagen, a protein that promotes healthy skin, hair, nails, and joints.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Supports Bone Health<\/strong>: Collagen is also a crucial component of bones and connective tissues. Eating chicken feet may contribute to maintaining bone density and strength.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Promotes Digestive Health<\/strong>: The collagen can also help support digestive health by coating and soothing the digestive tract. In my recipe, the slow cooking process of braising breaks down proteins and makes them easier to digest.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Most of the ingredients for making braised chicken feet are fairly standard Chinese pantry ingredients<\/a>. However, I do want to introduce a secret ingredient to make the best tasting chicken feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Red bean curd (\u5357\u4e73)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Red bean curd, or \u5357\u4e73 (Nan Ru), is also known as \u201cfermented tofu\u201d or \u201cred fermented bean curd\u201d. It is tofu fermented with red yeast, salt and other condiments. It has a very tender texture, red color and a complex umami due to the fermentation process. I always compare it to blue cheese, which has a distinctive flavor and texture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Red bean curd is commonly used in northern Chinese cooking, especially braising. It adds depth of flavor, richness, and a slightly tangy taste to dishes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can easily find red bean curd in your local Chinese market and on Amazon<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you cannot find this ingredient, you can skip it. But I highly recommend it if you can source it, to make the braised chicken feet extra tasty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Red<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Braised chicken feet ingredients<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    To make braised chicken feet, you will need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n