Ever heard this one about Chicken Feet?

Whenever hubby and I order dim sum, I never fail to order the braised chicken feet in black bean sauce. It is truly one of my hot favourites, and the best thing is I get the whole dish to myself since hubby shudders at the thought of chewing on chicken feet.

Which reminds me that whilst 'dim-summing' once with a couple of whacky friends, one of them quipped that he never eats chicken feet cos' they don't wear shoes! On hearing that, another retorted that he shouldn't eat chicken breast then cos' they don't wear bras!! .. Duhh!

For those who truly worry about the chicken running bare foot, let me assure you that before the feet are cooked, the outer scaly lining (not the fleshy skin) covering the feet is pulled away and the nails are chopped off. Chicken feet which have been properly braised is wonderfully tender with meat and skin that just melts in your mouth, having incredibly soaked in the full flavors of the braising liquid and seasoning. Whether you start with the fleshy pad of the foot, or choose instead to nibble the toes, claw by claw, there are no rules to eating chicken feet save for that unique ritual at the end of spitting out the little bones!