The primary time I made one in every of my mother’s recipes—a stir-fry of tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, and pork spareribs—I puzzled why it did not style just like the model I might eaten rising up. It was good, however lacked a sure depth of taste. This occurred each time I recreated one in every of my childhood favorites, whether or not braised brisket, tofu and greens, or one thing so simple as congee. These dishes had been staples at my dad and mom’ dinner desk. And but, my renditions all the time gave the impression to be lacking one thing. I could not ask my mother—she has Alzheimer’s illness—and nobody else in my household was in a position to assist. I chalked it as much as nostalgia and style reminiscences taking part in tips on me—till I poked round my dad and mom’ kitchen in Hong Kong.
Opening drawers and cupboards to look at spices and seasonings, I discovered a number of containers of Lee Kum Kee Rooster Bouillon Powder. I dipped my finger in for a style and instantly acknowledged the wealthy, deeply savory notes of poultry. That is when it occurred to me: My mother should have seasoned all her cooking with hen bouillon powder, and this was the key ingredient I might been lacking all alongside.
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Made with salt, flavor-enhancing MSG, dehydrated hen meat, sugar, hen fats, and yeast extract (plus different components and taste enhancers), Lee Kum Kee’s hen bouillon powder is a fast shortcut for including umami to no matter you are cooking. Most Western-style hen broths and bouillon powders include aromatics akin to onion, garlic, celery, and/or carrot. Whereas these elements give the bouillon a candy, vegetal notice that works nicely with American dishes akin to hen soup and casseroles, that taste profile would not all the time swimsuit Chinese language cooking.
As a result of Lee Kum Kee’s hen bouillon powder would not include any aromatics, it is extremely versatile and might be simply included into a variety of dishes. I exploit it to make fast soup bases or sauces for noodles, dumplings, and greens, in addition to to season and marinate meat. A beneficiant pinch additionally enhances the flavour of braises, stews, and stir-fries, delivering a potent increase of umami. To stop my cooking from changing into overly salty, I begin with a light-weight hand with different salty elements like soy sauce; style and regulate as I am going; and dilute with extra water if wanted.
This hen powder was my mother’s prompt improve for all the pieces, and now it is the rationale my cooking is nearly nearly as good as hers.