WHITE-SIMMERED DUCK IN SOUP

Steps:

• 1. Soak dried mushrooms. 2. Wipe duck with a damp cloth. Place in a large heavy pan with water and bring to a boil. Skim off fat. 3. Meanwhile slice bamboo shoots and ginger root. Add to pan, along with smoked ham (in one piece) and soaked mushrooms. 4. Bring to a boil then simmer, covered, until duck is tender (2 to 2 1/2 hours). Add salt and simmer 5 minutes more. 5. Remove duck, ham and vegetables. Let ham cool slightly then slice. Place duck in a deep bowl. Lay ham slices over its breast. Garnish with vegetables. 6. Reheat soup. Add to bowl and serve. VARIATION: * In step 4, during the last 30 minutes of cooking, add 2 pounds Chinese lettuce, cut in 1-inch strips. In step 5 place lettuce at the bottom of the bowl, with the duck, vegetables and ham on top. Then pick up step 6. The Thousand Recipe Chinese Cookbook. ©1994 by Gloria Bley Miller.