Bowl of Rooster Nut Soup
(click to enlarge)

Rooster Nut Soup


China / California   -  
Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 6 soup
**
1-1/4 hrs
Most		 A popular delicacy in China, and supposed to enhance manly prowess, and skin tone for the ladies. This recipe uses a Chinese conceit where several ingredients more or less resemble each other. See also Comments.

12
a/r
3
1/8
3
1
1
4
1/2
1
1/2
oz


in

can
can
c
T
T
t
Rooster Nuts (1)
Rice Wine
Black Mushroom
Ginger root
Scallions
Straw Mushrooms (2)  
Button Mushrooms
Chicken stock (3)
Soy Sauce
Rice Wine (4)
Salt
Prep   -   (35 min - 10 min work)
  1. Rinse ROOSTER NUTS and remove any stringy things still attached. Marinate in Rice Wine for 30 minutes or more, even a lot more.
  2. Soak Black Mushrooms in warm water for 30 minutes, then remove stems and cut the caps into quarters if small, more pieces if large.
  3. Slice GINGER ROOT very thin.
  4. Slice SCALLIONS very thin on a steep diagonal.
  5. Drain both (14 oz cans) of MUSHROOMS. Mix.
Run   -   (30 min)
  1. Drain Rooster Nuts.
  2. In a sauce pan bring Stock to a boil. Stir in Ginger and Black Mushrooms. Bring to a simmer and simmer for about 10 minutes.
  3. Stir in Soy Sauce, Rice Wine, Salt, Rooster Nuts and Mushrooms. Bring back to a boil and simmer another 5 to 15 minutes or so (see Note-5).
  4. Stir in Scallions (or whatever other garnishes you may desire). Serve hot, but not too hot as the mushrooms may scald tender mouths.
NOTES:

  1. Rooster Testicles:

      These are available in some Asian markets in Los Angeles - I don't know about anywhere else. For details see our Rooster Testicles page.

  2. Straw Mushrooms:

      These should be the "unpeeled" form so they sort of resemble the chicken nuts, one 14 ounce can. For details see our Straw Mushrooms page.

  3. Chicken Stock:

      This should be a good home-made chicken stock that would be fine for regular chicken soup.

  4. Rice Wine:

      Use a good, drinkable Chinese rice wine, not that horrid salted "cooking" version. If you don't have this, use a Dry Sherry. Sake is made from rice but is not considered a good substitute. For details see our Chinese Rice Wine page.

  5. Simmer Time:

      This depends on how you like your rooster nuts. 15 minutes or more will cook them through and get you the texture of firm tofu. Connoisseurs of rooster nuts like them less done, with the texture of soft tofu and liquidy in the center, so as you gain experience you may wish to reduce the simmering time until you get the effect you want.

  6. Comments:

      I attribute this recipe to China / California because I was unable to find actual recipes, and made this one up from traveler's notes and comments. Since it's basically chicken soup you can do any variations you like. For instance, some bean sprouts would go good in this.
  7. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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