West Lake Water Shield Soup
A classic Hangzhou soup featuring smooth, jade-like water shield leaves, tender chicken strips, and flavorful ham. Light, elegant, and deeply satisfying.
Ingredients
9 items- water shield 200 g
- chicken breast 50 g
- ham 20 g
- egg white 1
- clear broth 500 ml
- salt 1 tsp
- cooking wine 1 tbsp
- white pepper powder a pinch
- sesame oil 1 tsp
Nutrition
Steps （5 steps）
Cut chicken breast into thin strips. Mix with 1 tsp cooking wine and a little starch. Marinate for 10 minutes. Cut ham into thin strips.
Bring clear broth to a boil over high heat. Add water shield and blanch for about 1 minute. Drain and transfer to a soup bowl.
Bring the same broth to a boil again. Add chicken strips, stirring to separate. Cook until they turn white, about 1 minute. Remove and place on top of water shield.
Add ham strips to the broth and cook for about 30 seconds. Remove and place next to chicken.
Season the broth with salt and white pepper. Slowly drizzle in beaten egg white to form egg flower. Drizzle with sesame oil and pour over the water shield. Keep heat medium throughout.
Tips
Do not overcook the water shield; 1 minute blanching keeps it tender. Marinating chicken strips makes them extra tender. Slowly pour egg white while stirring for delicate egg flower.
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