Golden Pumpkin Soup with Fish Maw

Instructions

• Prepared Fish Maw

  • 1

    Add dried fish maw to a large bowl and cover with cold water. Soak fish maw for 6 hours, changing the water every 2 hours.

  • 2

    Add the soaked fish maw, ginger and spring onion to a pot and cover with a fresh batch of water. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then drain and discard the ginger.

  • 3

    Slice the fish maw into finger-width pieces and reserve for later.

• Superior Stock

  • 1

    Wash pork bones well. Add pork bones to a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, then discard the water and wash the blanched pork bones and pot. This will reduce the impurities and help keep the stock clear.

  • 2

    Into the cleaned pot, add the blanched pork bones, whole chicken and chicken feet. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 4 hours, skimming any scum that rises occasionally. Top up water if the level drops too low. You're aiming to finish with 2 litres of stock.

  • 3

    After 4 hours, add ginger, spring onion, and garlic and simmer for 1 final hour.

  • 4

    Strain the stock into another pot and discard the solids.

• Pumpkin Soup Base

  • 1

    Peel and chop pumpkin into chunks.

  • 2

    Add the pumpkin to a pot and add enough Superior Stock to cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer until tender, about 30 minutes.

  • 3

    Blend until smooth, then pass through a sieve for a silky texture.

• Seasoned Soup Base

  • 1

    Soak dried scallops and dried mushrooms in hot water for 30 minutes. Remove the rehydrated mushrooms and slice thinly, then return to the soaking liquid.

  • 2

    Into the pot with the Superior Stock, add the rehydrated scallops, mushrooms and the soaking liquid, red dates, white pepper, salt, Shaoxing wine, and soy sauce.

  • 3

    Bring the pot to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes.

• Marinated Prawns

  • 1

    In a bowl, marinate prawns with salt, sugar, and soy sauce.

• To Finish

  • 1

    Add the Pumpkin Soup Base to the pot with the Seasoned Soup Base and mix well. Bring the pot to a simmer over medium heat.

  • 2

    Add the Prepared Fish Maw and simmer for 10 minutes.

  • 3

    Add the Marinated Prawns and poach until they turn pink and are cooked through, about 3 minutes. Serve immediately.