“Once the soup stock was underway and infused with the desert silkie chicken, I dipped my spoon into the bubbling broth to test it. Warmth filled my stomach as I sipped. The rich, gamey flavor of the chicken rose above the simmering spices. A pleasant numbness tickled my tongue, and a puff of smoke emerged from my nostrils. The spiciness had a sour, savory dynamic that, combined with the ingredients I'd chosen, created a wonderfully complex profile.” CookingStewChickenFlavor CombosHot Pot Book:Celestial Banquet Source: Celestial Banquet
“After charring the thousand dragon's tea to ash, I steeped it with a silkie chicken, dried cloud's ear mushrooms, scallions, and cured, salted fish. Making a few adjustments, I added in some pungent star anise, purple scallions, scorpion chilis, and black garlic. As if I were a witch, I concocted the most powerful brew--- a potent broth to steam the rice, a punch to the tongue and teeth.” CookingSeasoningsAsian Food Book:Celestial Banquet Source: Celestial Banquet
“First, I placed the clean snapper on a bed of aluminum foil sprinkled with sea salt and olive oil. I then stuffed the tomatoes, garlic, onions, and coriander into the belly of the fish before sewing it shut. The first time I'd tasted this, the snapper was skewered and turned over open flames. To accompany it, I'd drunk the sweet juice from young coconuts cut with machetes, taken off the very trees above us. Now that I was back to apartment living, I had to modify the recipe and grill the fish in a closed packet. The texture of the skin wouldn't be as crisp, but the flesh would be even more tender. If I had thought Celia preferred the crisp texture, I would have fried it with the stuffing mixture served on the side. The fish was ready to be baked. I prepared sinanag, Filipino garlic fried rice, to accompany the fish: jasmine rice, smashed garlic cloves, sea salt, and a sprinkle of vegetable oil.” CookingRiceFishFilipinoFood PreparationStuffingMixture Book:Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune Source: Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune