STEAMED SQUABS STUFFED WITH BIRD'S NEST

Steps:

• 1. Soak bird's nest. 2. Bone squabs, leaving their shape and skin intact (see HOW-TO, _Chicken: To bone). Rub birds, inside and out, with salt. 3. Stuff squabs with soaked bird's nest and sew up securely or skewer. Place in a heatproof bowl pour stock over. 4. Steam over low heat until squabs are tender (about 2 hours). See HOW-TO, _Steaming. 5. Mince smoked ham sprinkle over the top. Serve squabs in their steaming bowl with stock. VARIATIONS: * For the whole bird's nest, substitute 1/2 cup dried bird's-nest chips. Instead of boning squabs, score them along the backbone, but do not cut through bone. Steam birds cut-side up. Serve cut-side down.The Thousand Recipe Chinese Cookbook. ©1994 by Gloria Bley Miller.