Can I cook the bird's nest directly?

The higher the nutritional value of food, the rarer it is. Bird's nest, as a highly nourishing food ingredient, can whiten the skin and replenish the body's collagen. For women with weak constitutions, eating more bird's nests has very significant benefits to the body. However, most people have heard of bird's nests but have never actually eaten them. Many people who eat bird's nests for the first time have raised questions: can bird's nests be cooked directly?

Bird's nest can be cooked directly, but it will melt due to improper water temperature control. Bird's nest is a water-soluble protein and will quickly turn into liquid when exposed to heat.

Bird's nest does not have to be stewed in water! But if you do stew it in water, you must control the temperature and time.

The reason for stewing it in water is to control the water temperature at around 100 degrees to prevent the bird's nest from dissolving quickly. The bird's nest is a water-soluble protein. When the temperature reaches around 80 degrees, it begins to soften and gradually dissolves in water. Therefore, if you want to eat a bird's nest with a good taste, you must pay attention to the stewing method of the bird's nest.

Steps for cooking bird’s nest:

1. Soaking: The soaking time depends on the origin and processing process of the bird's nest. It takes 1 to 2 hours to soak the dry bird's nest. After pouring out the water used to soak the bird's nest, add 250cc of water based on 5 grams of bird's nest. Put the bird's nest into the stew pot with water level covering the surface.

2. Water separation: To stew bird's nest, you need at least a stewing pot (inner pot) and a pot that can fit the entire stewing pot. Put the soaked bird's nest into the stewing pot and inject hot water. The water level should be based on the capacity of the inner pot. The water level of the inner and outer pots should be about 70% full. Then simmer over low heat. If other condiments are added to the bird's nest, the water level in the stewing pot should not exceed 70% of the pot. Because the bird's nest will expand during the stewing process, causing the water level to rise. If the water level is too high before stewing, it will easily overflow. Other condiments can be added to bird's nest, such as American ginseng, cordyceps, red dates, etc.

3. Light: Bird’s nest should be cooked lightly. When stewing, if the taste is salty, use a clear soup, such as chicken broth; if the taste is sweet, you can add rock sugar.

4. Slow fire: It is best to cook bird's nests over low heat. Stewing bird's nests should be done over low heat in water to better preserve the nutrition and aroma of the bird's nests. The pot should be boiled over high heat first, then simmered over low heat. When stewing bird's nest, remember not to use a pressure cooker. You can use a special stewing pot or stewing cup. It is more convenient to cook with an electronic stew pot.

5. Add rock sugar: Many people like to eat bird's nest with rock sugar. It has no effect to add rock sugar after the bird's nest is stewed or add it together during stewing. Only salt should not be stewed at the same time as the bird's nest. It is usually added after stewing.

Bird's nest usually only needs to be stewed for 20 to 25 minutes. Steamed bird's nest: 3-5 grams of dry bird's nest, rinse and place in a container. Soak in water at room temperature for about 2 hours, with 1 gram of dry bird's nest mixed with 50cc of water. Tear the bird's nest apart after soaking. The water used to soak the bird's nest can be stewed directly without pouring it out. Add your favorite ingredients, add appropriate amount of rock sugar and steam for 20-25 minutes. It can be served hot or cold.