Ep 81 | OLD HEN (STEWING HEN) - Video

Old hen, also known as stewing hen, is a key ingredient in traditional Chinese cooking, particularly for soups and stocks.

Unlike younger poultry, these hens have developed over time, resulting in denser bones, higher collagen content, and deeper flavour.

They are especially valued for:
– rich, full-bodied broths
– master stocks used as culinary foundations
– long-simmered soups

In traditional dietary practices, old hen is associated with nourishment due to its concentrated protein and mineral content.

To prepare, it is typically simmered gently with aromatics and herbs for several hours, allowing flavour and collagen to fully extract into the broth.

When shopping, look for whole birds labelled specifically for stewing, often smaller, firmer, and less tender than standard chicken.

Filmed at Jadan, Dominion Rd, Auckland, New Zealand.

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