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(Video: Thu Ha Noi)

Ingredients

• 1 chicken

• 1 dried lime peels

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 tsp ginger

Directions

• Wash the chicken with salt and water, let it dry.

• Add 3 liters water, ginger, salt and the chicken into a pot, boil in 30 minute.

• Dust the chicken with chopped lemon leaves.

Boiled chicken is best sprinkled with shredded lemon leaves on top. Photo: Bao Dan Sinh

Chicken in Vietnamese’s life

Living in a culture of wet rice civilization, Vietnamese has a deep connection with nature and to them, besides the buffalo, chicken is one of the six most familiar animals (including: chicken, pig, goat, buffalo, and horse).

Chicken was domesticated a long time ago and has occupied an important role in Vietnamese life.

Chicken for Tet

During Tet, boiled castrated cock is essential – it is often considered a symbol of purity and best offering to ancestors.

Cocks using for Tet need to meet the strict demands such as: crests must be bright red, feather is smooth, and legs are small – signs of a strong cock. After being boiled, the cock holding a rose in its beaks will be respectfully displayed on the family’s altar. In some families, people trim a carrot into a flower to replace the rose, whether it is a rose or a trimmed carrot, it shows the Vietnamese’s yin-yang concept, as the flower demonstrates the yin (female).

Photo: Meta.vn

The custom of telling fortune by chicken feet

Vietnamese believe that feet of the chosen cock (the one offered to Gods at New Year Eve) will let them know about the coming year of each generation in the family, Vietnam Online reported.

It requires an old and experienced person to read the message from a pair of cock’s feet, but in general, nice yellow feet with clustered claws are good. As according to ancient people’s explanation, “chicken use 3 claws to dig land to find food, 4 claws to fight against enemies. When a chicken clusters its claws, it shows the voluntary dedication”.

Chicken feet which inform good signs will be hung on the kitchen’s roof till the next New Year Eve, in the hope to bring about good luck for the family in the new year.

Photo: Amthuc365

The Vietnamese perception of chicken

Chicken brings many values such as rich-nutrient food, natural clock (Vietnamese farmers wake up as the chicken starts their dawn song) or in spiritual life, chicken or more precisely cocks symbolize for the divine relationship because they feature for 5 virtues of:

- Knowledge (Văn): cock’ crest looks like ancient civil mandarin’s hat.

- Martial art (Vũ): cock’s spurs and beaks are used as powerful weapons in fighting.

- Bravery (Dũng): cocks protect hens and chicks.

- Care (Nhân): a cock can combine with many hens.

- Prestige (Tín): cock always crows on time, whether it is sunny or rainy.

The above aspects contributes to an indispensable role of the chicken in Vietnamese daily life.

Health Benefits of Chicken

Chicken makes a fantastic substitute for red meats. A great source of protein, the meat has been linked to a variety of health benefits:

Stronger Bones and Muscles

The lean protein in chicken is an excellent source of amino acids. Our bodies use amino acids to build muscle tissue, something that is particularly important as we age. Studies have also shown that higher protein intake helps to maintain bone mineral density. Eating chicken can help to build stronger muscles and promote healthier bones, decreasing the risk of injuries and diseases such as osteoporosis.

Boiled chicken - a very popular food in Vietnam, especially during Tet Holiday! Photo: Vietnam Online

Weight Management and Heart Health

Research suggests that 25-30 grams of protein per meal can help us feel more full. Protein rich meals can make us feel fuller despite us eating less, which helps to promote better weight management. Healthier weight leads to improvements in risk factors for heart problems such as high triglyceride levels and high blood pressure. A food rich in protein, chicken can help with weight management and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Better Mood

Chicken contains the amino acid tryptophan, which has been linked to higher levels of serotonin (the “feel good” hormone) in our brains. The tryptophan levels in chicken aren’t high enough to make you feel instantly euphoric, but studies show it could help to boost serotonin levels when paired with other factors.

Nutrition

Chicken is filled with high-quality proteins and doesn’t contain much fat — especially if you eat lean cuts. Beyond its rich protein content, chicken also contains:

Vitamin B12

Tryptophan

Choline

Zinc

Iron

Copper

Nutrients per Serving

A raw, boneless skinless chicken breast fillet contains:

Calories: 120

Protein: 26 grams

Fat: 2 grams

Carbohydrates: 0 grams

Fiber: 0 grams

Sugar: 0 grams

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