Chicken was a frequent ingredient in the Prince Mansion's meals, but only the meatiest, most tender cuts were ever used. Parts like the chicken head and feet would never make it to the dining table and were typically thrown away.
Hua Manman wanted to make pickled chili chicken feet, but the few she had weren't nearly enough.
So, she asked a kitchen helper to go out and buy some fresh ones.
The kitchen helper naturally agreed at once.
He wasn't gone long before he returned with a large bag of chicken feet.
Hua Manman had someone wash the chicken feet.
By now, the double-skin milk pudding was ready. It looked pale and delicate. With the slightest nudge, its surface would tremble like soft tofu, but it carried the sweet fragrance of milk.
To improve the texture, she had someone bring ice and placed the pudding in an ice bath to chill.
While she waited, Hua Manman got to work. With swift, practiced motions—a flash of her knife—she sliced each of the chicken feet in half.
