You either love chicken feet, like I do, or hate them. There are no maybes here.
Chicken feet are popular in dim sum restaurants, some parts of Asia and Latin America. There is very little meat to eat, with lots of little bones, but also lots of collagen, folate, calcium and phosphorus.
In Mexico, it is added to stews and soups and served with rice and vegetables. Its collagen acts as a thickener.
But what is collagen? It is a structural protein that benefits the skin, tendons, muscles, connective tissues and the bones. This high collagen content provides gelatin, which is beneficial for cartilage and bone density. It also improves skin hydration and elasticity which reduces the appearance of wrinkles. In addition, the collagen in chicken feet is type 1 collagen, which boosts the immune system. Asians eat chicken feet as they believe they will give them a youthful-looking skin.
Chicken feet proteins are a great source of hydrolysates with antihypertensive properties. It is said that it also helps manage joint pains.
There many beliefs and superstitions regarding chicken feet:
• A chicken foot with a middle toe curled is said to bring long life in Nepal.
• In 17th century England, it was believed that if a woman swallowed a whole chicken foot, it would improve fertility and guarantee a boy.
• In Malaysia, wearing a necklace of chicken feet around one’s neck will prevent a wrinkly neck.
• In Haiti, chicken feet are buried with the dead body and mixed into the earth to protect against witch doctors who might seek to turn the deceased into zombies.
• In witchcraft and other folk traditions, like voodoo and conjure, chicken feet were used for protection, to bring good luck, or to hex others. They can be hung as talismans to ward off evil spirits, carried for personal protection or for good fortune.
• Rooted in the belief that chicken’s feet “digs up” the dirt, it can also dig up the truth, dig up enemies, or scratch away negativity and misfortune.
• Chicken feet and peanut soup is popular among Chinese women who want to achieve glowing skin.
My favorite preparation is “feng zhao” or “phoenix claws,” served as a selection in a dim sum restaurant.
There is no graceful or mannerly way to eat chicken feet. You take a bite off of one of the toes, eat the very little meat that is surrounding the tiny bones, and then you need to spit out the bones. All the table manners you know go out the window.
This is my favorite recipe for feng zhao or phoenix claws:
Phoenix Claws or Feng Zhao
Wash and air dry:
1 pound chicken feet
Cut tips with nails off with a pair of sharp scissors.
Coat with:
1/4 cup cornstarch
Place on a wire rack to dry.
Heat to 375 degrees:
Vegetable oil in deep pan to 1 inch
Fry for 2 minutes till light brown.
Meanwhile, bring to a boil:
7 cups water
3-inch piece of ginger
6 garlic cloves, smashed
4 whole star anise pods
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon sherry
Place fried legs in braising liquid and simmer for one hour.
Make a sauce:
Saute in a large pan:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon garlic, pressed
1/4 cup braising liquid
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
Add braised chicken feet to coat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Chicken
Feet Soup
Serves 6
Wash and cut off the nails with a sharp scissors:
10 chicken feet
In a large pot of water, add:
1 cup peanuts
7 dried red dates
2 thumb-sized ginger pieces
1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine or sherry
Green onions
Cook the chicken feet for 2 minutes after the water boils and then transfer them out and wash them under warm water.
Place chicken feet, red date, ginger, peanuts and 12 cups water in an instant pot. Press the soup button, which will simmer the soup for about 40 minutes.
Season with salt and add just before serving:
Chinese parsley
HCC’s culinary program
“Ohana Corner Cafe and the cafeteria, I Ola No Ke Kino are now open for the fall semester. Hours for the cafeteria are 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m., and the ‘Ohana Corner Cafe’s hours 9:30 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. They are located in Building 382 at Hawaii Community College.
Meals are being prepared by the first- and second-year culinary students and faculty. Call 808-934-2591 during business hours. To place orders, provide your name, phone number and pick up time.
The menu is available online at: http://hawaii.hawaii.edu/cafeteria
Check out the menu and support the culinary students as they are our future chefs.
Email Audrey Wilson at audreywilson808@gmail.com.
