Black-bone Chicken with Cordyceps

Black-bone chicken also known as Silkies is considered the best poultry choice when preparing medicinal or therapeutic food in accordance to Traditional Chinese Medicine.  With new technology and proper scientific research, this breed of poultry is naturally high in carnosine.  Carnosine is a type of peptide where it is available as a form of nutrient supplement taken by consumers in hope to aid in muscle strengthening, anti-aging, diabetes, anemia, menstrual cramps and postpartum disorders.

Cordyceps (Dongchongxiacao) are highly valuable to the Chinese people.  It is one of the best sought out herbs and one of the most expensive too.  It is known to many as an "anti-aging" herb.  It main usage is to treat impotence, infertility, chronic cough and asthma, and spontaneous sweating and aversion to cold due to frailty or illness.

This recipe requires double boiling method as form of cooking.  A smaller lidded ceramic pot is preferred to be used where the ingredients will be place in.

1 Black-bone Chicken - cleaned and cut to pieces

10g dried Cordyceps

10 red dates

5g Gou QiZi (Chinese wolfberry)

500ml hot boiled water

Method:

1. Placed all ingredients in a small ceramic lidded pot which can fit into a larger metal lidded pot.
2. Carefully pour in cold water into the larger pot until the water level is about halfway of the ceramic pot.  TIPS:  Placed a clean cloth at the bottom of the metal pot before placing the ceramic pot.  This will ensure the stability of the smaller pot and avoid movement while the water is boiling.
3. Secure lid and bring the water to boil, then turn down heat to simmer for 1 hour.
4. Check water level occasionally and always add HOT boiling water if needed.
5. Divide dish into two separate meals on the same day.  Have it between breakfast and lunch; lunch and dinner.

Functions and Benefits:

1. Blackbone Chicken - Warms the Middle Burner, Tone the Spleen, replenish and nourishes Qi and Blood, Tonifies the Kidneys and Essence.
2. Cordyceps - Tonifies the Lungs and Kidneys, resolved phlegm and stop bleeding.
3. Red Dates - Tonifies Blood and promote body fluids.
4. Gou QiZi -  Tonifies the Kidneys and benefits the Essence, nourish the Liver and brighten the eyes, moisten the Lungs.

Precautions and Contraindications:

1. If Exterior syndromes presence e.g Wind-Cold, DO NOT use cordyceps unless prescribed by your TCM practitioner.  Failure to do so will bring harm to user.
2. If diarrhoea presence due to Spleen deficiency DO NOT use Gou QiZi.
3. Presence of Phlegm-Heat causing cough  and/or toothache, food retention and bloating due to excessive Phlegm accumulation in the Middle Burner arise from Spleen deficiencies much cautiously when using Red Dates.  Always consult your TCM practitioner for full advise.

If you have any doubt or want to know more about this recipe, contact your TCM practitioner or myself.

Thank you for reading.

Kenny Law
Australia Registered TCM Practitioner.
 

DISCLAIMER:
Information given are purely for references and it is not intent to diagnose medical conditions or to be used for self-diagnosed. Always consult medical health personnel for proper medical diagnosis.
 

© COPYRIGHT 2010 KENNY LAW

Sharing and/or reproduction of any part of this document is prohibited without written consent

For further reading:

         

Aromatic Milk Poached Chicken with Pumpkin and Potatoes

This recipe was a coincidence.  I made a pot of pumpkin soup the day before, hence I left with half a butternut pumpkin and some potatoes.  Instead of having some left over soup I was to make the typical roast chicken thighs and mash.  But I want something more moist, filling and not feel stodgy really.  So here is what I came out with.  Get some good bread rolls to soak up all those wonderful gravy-soup towards the end of your meal - pure delight!

1 kg chicken thigh
500g or 2 large potatoes

500g or ½ butternut pumpkin

500 ml milk

200 ml water

2 sprigs fresh sage

Small bunch of thyme

Salt

Method: 

1. Wash and peel potatoes and butternut pumpkin.  Cut them into similar size.  Then cook them first either by boiling or by the microwave oven. 
2. Remove excess fats off the chicken thigh without removing the skin.
3. Combine milk and water in a deep pot then submerge the sage and thyme in the liquid and bring to simmer.
4. Gentle place chicken thighs in simmer liquid, making sure the thighs are fully submerged.  Using a smaller plate placed it into the pot will keep the thighs submerged fully.  When the liquid start to simmer, remove pot from stove at once.  Leave pot untouched for 1 hour.
5. After an hour, remove the thighs then placed in the potatoes and pumpkin in the pot.  Heat the liquid to a light simmer for 20 minutes.  Placed the chicken thighs back into the pot and simmer for further 10 minutes.  Add salt to taste.
6. Plate up and serve. 

Functions and Benefits:

1. Chicken – Warms the Middle Burner; assist Yang.
2. Potatoes – Tones the Middle Burner.
3. Pumpkin – Tones the Middle Burner; dries dampness in Middle Burner.
4. Milk – Lubricates the intestines; produces fluids; benefits the Lung and Stomach.
5. Sage – Warming and Aromatic; promotes Qi to moves Blood.  Benefits the Heart.
6. Thyme – Warming and Aromatic; promotes Qi to moves Blood.  Benefits the Lungs.

 Precautions and Contraindications:

1. Not recommended to anyone with severe phlegm obstruction to the Upper Jiao or Middle Burner.
2. Anyone with Stomach-Fire, Damp-Heat in the Middle Burner and Lower Burner should avoid

If you have any doubt or want to know more about this recipe, contact your TCM practitioner or myself.

Thank you for reading.

Kenny Law
Australia Registered TCM Practitioner.
DISCLAIMER:
Information given are purely for references and it is not intent to diagnose medical conditions or to be used for self-diagnosed. Always consult medical health personnel for proper medical diagnosis.

© COPYRIGHT 2010 KENNY LAW
Sharing and/or reproduction of any part of this document is prohibited without written consent

For further reading, I recommend the following reading material