Shark Fin Soup: Expensive but amazing

[Jason_Firewalker]

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients:

4 tbsps sesame oil
1 scallion finely chopped
1 inch fresh root ginger, peeled and EXTERMELY finely chopped (use thick and ultra fresh)
4 dried shittake mushrooms, soaked in cold water for 30 minutes, drained and sliced
2 tbsp Rice wine/sake
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
2 1/4 quarts or 9 cups chicken stock
12 oz ready prepared shark’s fin, soaked for 1 hour in cold water and drained
2 oz. boneless chicken breast, shredded
8 oz prawns, peeled
1 1/2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 1/2 oz cornstarch, blended with 1 tbsp chicken stock
A dash of brandy or vermouth

Heat the oil in a pot. Add the scallion, ginger, mushroom, rice wine and rice wine vinegar and fry for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pour over half the chicken stock, add the shark’s fin and bring to boil.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the chicken, prawns and soy sauce. Pour the remaining chicken stock and the cornstarch mixture, and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally.
Reduce the heat to low again and simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve ASAP with a dash of brandy or vermouth