Nido Soup

Ingredients for Nido Soup

• 100 g dried bird's nest, or 1 bundle bean threads plus 1 tsp honey for a mock version
• 100 g cooked chicken meat, flaked
• 1 piece smoked ham, finely chopped
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
• 2 egg whites
• 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 white onions, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup corn
• Oil, as needed
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

How to cook Nido Soup

1. 1.Soak dried bird's nest in water for 12 hours, then drain and rinse clean. For the mock version, soak bean threads for 30 minutes.
2. 2.Flake cooked chicken very finely. Sauté onions in a little oil until translucent.
3. 3.Add chicken stock, boil, and simmer 5 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve into another pot.
4. 4.Bring stock to a boil. Add bird's nest, or bean threads and honey, plus corn and ham; simmer 30 minutes.
5. 5.Stir in chicken, Chinese cooking wine, and dissolved cornstarch. Fold in lightly beaten egg whites and simmer 3 minutes.
6. 6.Season with salt and black pepper, then serve.