Crispy skin Chinese chicken

Ingredients

• 1 packet Chinese soup spices (see Note)
• 4 litres cold water
• 3 tbsp salt
• 2 x 1.5 kg whole chickens
• 2 litres white vinegar
• 500 g maltose (see Note)
• 1.5 litres canola, vegetable or peanut oil, for deep-frying  

Standing time: 30 minutes

Drying time: 20 minutes

Hanging time: 1 hour

Instructions

Place the soup spices in a muslin square or light tea towel and tie into a bundle. Place in a pot with the water and salt and add the whole chickens. Bring gently to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to stand for about 30 minutes. This will poach the chickens thoroughly without overcooking them.

Remove the chickens from the broth and drain for about 20 minutes till skin is dry.

Meanwhile, warm the vinegar in a saucepan over low heat to about 30ºC (hot without boiling) and mix in the maltose, mixing to dissolve.

Dip the chickens in the maltose and vinegar and then hang on hooks (preferably) or drain till the coating has hardened to a sticky consistency, about 1 hour.

Heat the oil in a wok and when close to smoking, fry the chickens, carefully, one at a time, until the skin is crisp and golden brown on all sides.

Drain on absorbent paper and chop with a cleaver into pieces to serve.

Note

Available from Chinese grocery stores these contain star anise, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, fennel seed, dried orange peel and licorice.

Available in health food stores or Chinese grocery stores.