
Terrines — molded preparations of meat, fish, or vegetables — are wonderfully rich and dense. This chicken variation, with a fraction of the calories and fat of a traditional terrine, draws its structure and moistness from aspic and its lively seasonings from China. To accompany it, try Japanese soba noodles — their springy texture contrasts with the terrine's smooth gel and tender chicken — and fast-cooked snow peas , for crunch.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients
For sauce
Preparation
Step 1
In a 3-quart saucepan simmer broth, Sherry, soy sauce, gingerroot, scallions, star anise, and salt, covered, 25 minutes. Add chicken and cook at a bare simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes. Cool chicken in liquid, uncovered, 1 hour.
Step 2
Transfer chicken to a bowl, reserving cooking liquid, and tear into thin shreds. Chill chicken, covered, while making aspic.
Step 3
Pour reserved cooking liquid through a fine sieve lined with a dampened paper towel into a bowl. Measure liquid and add enough cold water (about 1/2 cup) to measure 3 cups total. Return liquid to cleaned pan.
Step 4
In a small bowl sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup cold water to soften. Stir gelatin mixture into cooking liquid and heat over moderate heat, stirring, until gelatin is dissolved (do not boil).
Step 5
Toss chicken with coriander and arrange evenly in a 2-quart terrine or loaf pan. Pour aspic slowly over chicken mixture. Chill terrine, covered, until firm, at least 6 hours, and up to 2 days.
Make sauce:
Step 6
In a small bowl stir together hoisin sauce and vinegar until smooth.
Step 7
Run a thin knife around edge of terrine and dip terrine or pan into a larger pan of hot water 10 seconds to loosen. Invert terrine onto a platter and serve with sauce and pickled ginger. Terrine will be quite fragile: If slicing, use an electric knife; otherwise, serve with a spoon.