"Master, it's ready!"
Chang Mei brought the chopped wild chicken from the basin, offering it to Cai Wei like a precious treasure, his eyes full of anticipation.
Cai Wei glanced into the basin, seeing that the meat was prepared cleanly, she immediately expressed her satisfaction.
"Master, what else do you need done? I can help you!"
"Boil some water!", Cai Wei ordered. Chicken meat should be blanched in boiling water before stewing, not only to remove the dirt attached to the meat, but also to make the texture more tender and delicious.
After blanching, Cai Wei retrieved the chicken, cleaned the pot, added oil, then stir-fried the pre-cut spring onions, ginger slices, star anises, red chillies and other condiments in the pot. When they were about done, the chicken meat was added and stir-fried until it turned golden. She then added broth, covered the pot, and began to stew.
During this period, Chang Mei obediently stoked the fire, sniffing the tempting aroma coming from the pot.