Chicken Stew in chinese wine (绍兴酒鸡)

I have to confess, I love this dish no matter it is suppose to be eaten during confinement period. It is a heaty food, which is to say one cannot consume too much or else your whole body will heat up. In other words do not consume during summer hot days! Take it during winter or rainy days.... LOL. Well I really do not care less as I can really can take in heaty food.

Chicken Stew in Chinese Wine - 绍兴酒鸡 (serves 4-6)

4                  Drumsticks (cut into bite pieces)
Or 1            Whole chicken (cut into bite pieces)

Half a bottle of  - Yellow wine / Ginger wine (confinement food) 绍兴酒
                             - Shao Xing wine (normal) 花调酒

2-3pcs        Black fungus (soaked and cut into strips)
1 1/2 tbsp   Chinese Wolfberries
Some          Young ginger (cut into small strips) (add more for confinement food)
2 tbsp         Sesame oil (add more for confinement food)
*2 tbsp       Brandy (for confinement food only)
*5-6 pcs      Shreads of Chinese Angelica - 當歸 (Confinement only)

1. First, heat up the wok or stewing pot; fry the ginger without oil for about a minute then add in the sesame oil.
2. Stir the ginger till fragrant, then add in the black fungus, the chinese wolfberries and shreads of *Chinese Angelica (Optional).
3. Now, add in the chicken and stir fry till slighty brown, or half cooked.
4. Pour in the Yellow wine or Chinese wine enough just to cover the chicken. Simmer till chicken is cooked for about 10-15 minutes.
5. *If you are adding brandy, add in last just before you turn off the stove.
6. *Please take note that, the yellow wine and chinese Shao Xing wine does taste a little salty and sweet, so no need to add in salt or sugar.
7. Consume this dish with white fragrant rice! Yummy!

Black Date Longan tea (大枣圓肉茶)

Well, there are lots of versions for this tea. My recipe here is the easiest one I guess with the same effect'; as in to keep the body warm. This tea is usually drink during confinement month as you know the Chinese are not allow to drink plain water during this confinement month. It is said that the stomach is full of 'wind'. Basically, this tea would serve as a lovely dessert as well with an egg in it. Drink it in the morning or late at night before sleep. Please remember that this tea is not advisable for Men to drink. It is strictly for Women only, as there is Dong Gui in it.

Black Date Longan Tea 大枣圓肉茶 (serves 4)

20         Black dates (pitted)大枣

20         Dried Longans

30g       Dong gui 当归

1.5litres Water

4           Eggs (shelled)

1. Wash and rinse all ingredients.
2. Combine all into a slow cooker or otherwise in a double boil pot for at least 4 hours.
3. Alternatively, you can cook this in low heat for at least 3 hours.
4. If you are adding eggs please remember to pre-cooked it and peel off the shell before you combine it into the pot to cook.

Dang Shen Tea (黨參茶)

This Dang Shen tea has the abilty to rejuvinate your 'Qi' in your body. Dang Shen is considered as a poor's man ginseng, accordingly it is considered as a weaker version of ginseng. Do remember that if you consume Dang Shen it is best to avoid carrots as these 2 are opposites. If you feel a little fatigue and has no appetite this tea does help. It has also been proven to rejenerate red blood cells as well. For me myself I just drink this tea so that my body blood circulation will improve.

This tea can be consume during confinement, after birth.

For more information about this tea do refer to this website:  http://alternativehealing.org/dang_shen.htm

Dang Shen Tea 黨參茶(serves 4)

150g     Dang Shen 黨參
12         Red dates
20         Dried longan
1.5litres Water
2           Eggs (optional)

1. If adding eggs, do boil the eggs and peel off the shell and set aside
2. Rinse the dang shen, red dates and longan with water. Flatten the red dates and core the seeds.
3. Bring water to boil then combine all ingredients into the pot.
4. Simmer for at least 3 hours in low heat.