Cloud-Ear and Red Date Braised Free-Range Chicken

Why people make this dish

Bro Niu picked up some destemmed cloud-ear fungus at the dried-goods shop — small, plump after soaking, soft and tender, lovely whether steamed or braised. Cloud-ear is a kind of black wood-ear, traditionally valued for nourishing blood and qi and for being soothing; in food therapy people like to add wood-ear to soups and dishes regularly. Braised with free-range chicken and red dates, it makes a fresh, tasty homestyle dish that is traditionally enjoyed for nourishing blood and the complexion — and it’s friendly for young and old alike.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for the whole family, young and old, as an everyday nourishing dish
• A wholesome way to work more wood-ear into the diet

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Cloud-ear fungus (yun er): a black wood-ear traditionally associated with nourishing blood and qi, moistening the lung and calming; long valued as a wholesome everyday food.
• Red dates (hong zao): traditionally used to nourish blood and add gentle sweetness.
• Free-range chicken (zou di ji): flavorful lean poultry that carries the braise.
• Ginger and spring onion: aromatics that fragrance the dish.

Ingredients (1 family-style dish)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Cloud-ear fungus	1 small handful	Soaked soft, washed
Red dates	6	Pitted, sliced
Free-range chicken	half a bird	Chopped into pieces
Fresh ginger	3 slices
Spring onion whites	3 stalks
Seasoning	to taste

Method

1. Soak the cloud-ear fungus until soft and wash it; pit and slice the red dates; chop the chicken into pieces.
2. Heat oil and fry the ginger slices until fragrant; add the chicken and pan-fry until lightly browned.
3. Add the cloud-ear and red dates and toss; splash in a little wine.
4. Add seasoning and water, then braise for about 12 minutes until the sauce is thick.
5. Stir in the spring onion whites and plate up.

Bro Niu’s tips

For a lighter, even healthier version, steam it instead: marinate the chicken pieces briefly in light soy and seasoning, add the soaked cloud-ear, red dates, ginger and spring onion, a little cooked oil, toss, and steam for 15 minutes. Delicious.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Bobo): Can I add a few goji berries (gou qi zi) and steam it together? Bro Niu: Yes, you can add goji berries and steam together, no problem.

• Q (jc): Is there a difference between “tribute dates” (gong zao) and “chicken-heart dates” (ji xin zao)? Same effect? Bro Niu: Red dates vary in flavor by region. Ordinary red dates are very sweet and spoil more easily; chicken-heart dates are moderately sweet and keep better. Tribute dates are a cultivated, larger variety, with much the same effect.

• Q (annie lee): The herbal shop has no “jing柿” (jing persimmon) — is that a dried persimmon (shi bing)? Can I substitute? Bro Niu: “Jing persimmon” is the chicken-heart-shaped dried persimmon; ordinary dried persimmon is fine — two are enough.

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Published November 2, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.