Beggar’s Chicken is chicken with China spices. How to made it is also through a long process. After have been immersed in a variety of seasonings, chicken and wrapped in plastic (to keep the juices stay inside), then wrapped in lotus leaves intact and covered with aluminum foil.
After that, the chicken is inserted in the specially made hard dough bread and baked for two hours, to allow the flavors to seep into his flesh and as well so that chicken bones is also softened.
That afternoon, the chicken is presented with beautiful, not like a beggar. But in a chicken-shaped bread dough. To eat, I also have to wait patiently. Because before I can see the beggars chicken, the waitress had to cut the bread first, then, open the aluminum foil and other layers until the actual dish seen, the beggar.
While the waitress opened the sheet after sheet of the dish, the aroma of typical of China spices stopped at my nose. It smells good, Slowly, I saw a black mushroom, ketch, chicken flavoring pale brown. Also seen the grill chicken broth and the spices.
The chicken was soft with the accompanying scent. Sauce is also delicious, not too sweet and savory.
Beggar Chicken story
History of beggar chicken is also interesting to listen. One day, a beggar in China are eager to burn the chicken that he stole and wrapped in clay.
The aroma wafted by the Emperor’s two bodyguards were looking for food for his master.
At that time, the Emperor was a walk in secret. In the midst of his journey, he was hungry and asked his bodyguard to look for food. Finally, the guards were buying food from the panhandlers. Its name, Beggar Chicken.
After that, the chicken in chunks of clay delivered to the Emperor. Apparently, the emperor was very fond of cooking of the beggar. Then, he asked what name this dish and was answered by a bodyguard, Chicken Prosperity.
The Emperor then asked his bodyguards to find recipes so he can eat a similar dish at the Palace. But, unfortunately, when the guards returned to the place before, the beggar was gone.
With feelings of anxiety, the guards finally admitted that in fact, dish is named with beggars chicken, not chicken prosperity. They also were unable to find the recipe. Hearing this, the emperor was not angry. Instead, he laughed when he realized he had been eating the food of beggars.
Finally, he also called chef’s palace, telling details that he was eat and request the same menu. So it become a similar menu with a menu that he found in the street. Only, in the palace known as the Chicken Prosperity (Prosperous Chicken). This recipe is then passed down by generations and can be found in several restaurant in Canton China.
At Shang Palace, because of the cooking is quite complicated. then the visitors had to order the previous two days in advance to be able to enjoy it.
Anyway, the story of beggars chicken, from the street toward the palace ….