Recipe
American Ginseng Bird's Nest
35 minutes
Ingredients
- · 1 pre-soaked dried bird's nest (about 5g dry weight)
- · 3-4 slices American ginseng root
- · 2 cups water
- · Rock sugar to taste, or honey after cooking
Method
- 1Place American ginseng slices in a double-boiler bowl with water, cover and simmer for 20 minutes to draw out the flavour.
- 2Add the soaked bird's nest and simmer gently for a further 15 minutes.
- 3Add rock sugar if using, or stir in honey once slightly cooled (honey is best not boiled directly).
- 4Serve warm.
American ginseng (花旗参) is another ingredient with a long history in Chinese food culture, traditionally regarded as a milder, cooling counterpart to Asian ginseng. Paired with bird's nest, it makes an elegant, lightly bitter-sweet bowl often served for guests or special occasions.