BIRD'S NEST SOUP

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 ounces (approx) dried bird`s nest
• 6 cups Rich chicken stock for soup
• 1 large Chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons Rich chicken stock for paste
• 1 tablespoon Dry sherry
• 1/4 cup Rich chicken stock
• 2 Egg whites
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2 Green onions -- minced
• 1 tablespoon Minced Smithfield ham

Preparation:

• Preparation: Soak bird`s nest in cold water overnight.
• Drain and rinse.
• Spread softened nest pieces on plate, pick out prominent pieces of "foreign" matter (e.g, feathers, twigs) with tweezers.
• Debone chicken breast, remove membrane and muscle fiber, pound meat with cleaver handle to break down tissue, mince chicken until it is pulp.
• Make medium thick paste with cornstarch and chicken stock.
• Cooking: Bring rich chicken stock for soup to boil.
• Immediately add bird`s nest, simmer 30 minutes.
• Mix dry sherry and remaining stock, dribble slowly into minced chicken.
• Lightly beat egg whites with a fork, fold gently into chicken so they are not completely blended.
• Add salt to soup.
• Bring soup back to boil and add chicken mixture slowly so soup does not cool.
• When soup returns to boil, it is ready to serve.
• You can hold it at this point on low heat.
• Pour into serving bowl, garnish with green onions and ham.