Happy Bird Crosses The Golden Bridge Recipe

Name: Happy Bird Crosses The Golden Bridge
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 14 lbs winter melon (can substitute watermelon); 12 slices Chinese ham, 1/4 inch thick; 2 Cornish hens, approx. 1 to 1 1/4 lbs. each; 4 slices gingerroot; 4 shallots, white parts; cooking oil; 4 fluid ounces light soy sauce; 1 ounce dark soy sauce; 1 teaspoon oyster sauce; 1 ½ teaspoons salt; ¼ teaspoon sugar; 4 cups chicken stock; 1 cup chicken stock; 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch (mixed well with 2 tbsp. water); 10 sprigs flowering chives

Servings: persons

2 14 lbs winter melon (can substitute watermelon)
12 slices Chinese ham, 1/4 inch thick
2 Cornish hens, approx. 1 to 1 1/4 lbs. each
4 slices gingerroot
4 shallots, white parts
cooking oil
4 fluid ounces light soy sauce
1 ounce dark soy sauce
1 teaspoon oyster sauce
1 ½ teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoon sugar
4 cups chicken stock
1 cup chicken stock
1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch (mixed well with 2 tbsp. water)
10 sprigs flowering chives

1
----TO PREPARE----.
2
Mix the marinade and coat Cornish game hens with it for 2 to 3 minutes.
3
Remove skin of winter melon and cut 12 slices about 2o wide, 1 1/4o long and 1o thick.
4
Make a slit sideways on the longest side of each piece and insert one ham slice.
5
----TO COOK----.
6
Deep-fry Cornish hens over a medium flame until golden.
7
Heat the wok or pot, and add 1 tbsp.
8
oil.
9
When it is very hot, stir-fry the ginger and shallots for 1 minute.
10
Then add above stewing seasoning ingredients and Cornish hens, cover and braise over a slow flame for 20 to 25 minutes.
11
Remove Cornish hens.
12
Reserve 1 cup of the Cornish hen braising stock, to make sauce later.
13
Double the remaining braising stock's liquid volume by adding water, and then immerse winter melon slices.
14
Cook for 5 minutes, then turn off heat.
15
Cover wok, leave winter melon slices for a further 5 minutes (thus ensuring they do not lose their shape through excess direct cooking).
16
Mix sauce ingredients with reserved cup of Cornish hen braising stock and heat.
17
----TO PRESENT----.
18
Cut Cornish hens into pieces and arrange across serving dish.
19
Place 6 overlapping winter melon slices on each side of Cornish hens.
20
Pour sauce over, and garnish with flowering chives.

788

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

119

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 15 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 14 lbs winter melon (can substitute watermelon), 12 slices Chinese ham, 1/4 inch thick, 2 Cornish hens, approx. 1 to 1 1/4 lbs. each, 4 slices gingerroot, and more.

Yes, Happy Bird Crosses The Golden Bridge falls under the Seafood category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Happy Bird Crosses The Golden Bridge

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions