Chicken Feet!

Dim Sum Black Bean Chicken Feet Recipe

What could be considered bizarre to some, is considered a delicacy by millions. Chicken feet are just that – absolutely delicious!

This is a popular recipe that can be found in any decent Chinese restaurant as part of a dim sum (appetizer) menu.

Traditionally, chicken feet are fried in a wok, and then steamed in large bamboo steamers. But we can speed this recipe up by using a deep fryer and a pressure cooker.

Yields: 4 portions

Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs Chicken feet
  • 8 oz Water
  • 1 tbsp Tapioca starch
  • 2.5 tbsp Ginger, minced fresh
  • 2 tbsp Black bean sauce
  • 3 tbsp Oyster sauce
  • 4 tbsp Chinese soy sauce
  • 1 Clove garlic, minced
  • 5 tbsp Green onion, chopped
  • 3 tbsp Brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp Chinese garlic chili sauce (optional)
  • Peanut oil for the deep fryer

Equipment:

  • A deep fryer
  • A pressure cooker

Instructions:

  1. Snip the tip of the toes off using shears or a knife. Wash the feet in water, ring out really well, and pat dry with paper towel to ensure that they are really dry.
  2. Deep fry the feet until they are golden brown (5 to 8 minutes at 375 degrees). Remove from oil and put in a bowl.
  3. In the pressure cooker, heat up a little bit of peanut oil, and fry the ginger and garlic for a few seconds until they are fragrant. Do not burn.
  4. Add the chicken feet to the pressure cooker. Add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, black beans, and water. Stir and mix well.
  5. Seal the pressure cooker and pressure cook on high (15 psi) for 30 minutes. Then do a quick pressure release.
  6. Open the pressure cooker, and keep the liquids inside at a simmer. Add the sugar, and stir well. Add half the scallions and stir well.
  7. Mix the tapioca starch with a little cold water, and add to the pressure cooker. This will thicken the sauce.
  8. Serve feet on a plate or platter, and sprinkle with remaining green onions.
  9. (optional) season with chili garlic sauce if you like it spicy.