Tea and Anise-Flavored Chicken Livers

Name: Tea and Anise-Flavored Chicken Livers
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: chinese
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds fresh chicken livers; 3 1/2 quarts water; 1/2 cup China black tea leaves tied in a square of cheesecloth; 1/4 cup rice wine; 1/4 cup soy sauce; 4 whole star anise; 6 slices fresh ginger root, peeled

Recipe from Nina Simonds

Adapted by Florence Fabricant

Updated Oct. 12, 2023

Total Time: 1 hour
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Rating: (0)
Comments: Read comments

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Ingredients

Yield:6 servings

1½pounds fresh chicken livers
3½quarts water
½cup China black tea leaves tied in a square of cheesecloth
¼cup rice wine
¼cup soy sauce
4whole star anise
6slices fresh ginger root, peeled

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Lightly rinse the chicken livers, drain thoroughly and separate the lobes.
Step 2
Heat two quarts of water until boiling and blanch the livers for about two minutes. Drain.
Step 3
In a heavy saucepan combine the remaining 1½ quarts of water with the tea leaves, rice wine and soy sauce. Lightly smash the anise and ginger root with the side of a cleaver and add them. Simmer this mixture for 20 minutes.
Step 4
Add the chicken livers and once the mixture returns to a simmer cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the chicken livers to cool in the liquid.
Step 5
Remove the cooled livers from the cooking liquid and slice them thin. Serve cold or at room temperature on slices of toast or in a salad.