Have you ever bought a bamboo steamer but wondered, "What should I steam besides dim sum?"
This time, we'd like to introduce you to an authentic Chinese steamed dish that can be made using chicken thighs and a few spices that you have at home.
By simply coating seasoned chicken thighs with rice flour spices that have been roasted to bring out their fragrant aroma and then steaming them, you can create a dish with a deep flavor that is just like something you would get at a specialty restaurant in Chinatown.
The aroma of the bamboo steamer combined with the spices will add a fluffy and rich flavor to your table.
With simple ingredients and steps, this dish will greatly expand your bamboo steamer cooking repertoire!
Ingredients (serves 2-3)
・Chicken thigh meat...300g
・Glutinous rice...80g
・Cinnamon stick…2cm
・Clove…1 piece
・Star anise...3 cloves
・Dried shrimp…40g
・Ginger...1 piece
[Seasonings for marinating]
・Soy sauce…1 tablespoon
・Sake...1 tablespoon
・Mirin...1 tablespoon
How to make it
1.Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, add the seasonings and grated ginger, rub well, and leave overnight. 
2. Dry fry the glutinous rice, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and dried shrimp in a frying pan until fragrant and slightly colored. 
3. Once cooled, grind the spices and glutinous rice in a mill to make “spiced rice flour.” 
4. Lightly drain the chicken and sprinkle with ③. 
5. Steam in the steamer for 15 minutes and it's done.
Finishing touches and key points
- The savory flavor of dried shrimp and the aroma of spices permeate the rice flour and become fluffy and flavorful when steamed.
・It's delicious even when cold, so it's great for bento boxes.
・You can adjust the amount of spice to your liking. Perfect for those who want to enjoy a flavor similar to that of five-spice powder.
