Preparation:
Put the chicken in a large saucepan and add boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the chicken. Cover tightly and simmer until just tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Drain, rinse under cold water and dry with kitchen paper.
Mix together the vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sherry and treacle (molasses). Brush this all over the chicken and then hang the chicken in an airy place to dry, for about 30 minutes. Brush over the remaining soy sauce mixture and hang again for 20-30 minutes. Mix the flour and salt together and rub well into the chicken skin. Fry in deep hot peanut oil until golden and crisp. Drain well on absorbent kitchen paper.
Chop the chicken into 8 pieces and serve warm with hoisin sauce. |