Archive for November, 2005
Chicken and Swallow Nests Steam Rice (Salty)
Ingredients :
1 soaked whole bird’s nest (approx. 1.33 oz)
8 oz. chicken leg meat
2 dried black mushroom
4 red dates
1 cup of chicken stock
1 1/2 cups of water
2 cups of rice
shredded spring onion
soy sauce
Marinade :
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp light soy sauce
1/2 tsp dark soy sauce
1 tsp wine
1 tsp ginger juice
3/4 tsp corn starch
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp oil
Method :
1. Drain bird’s nest. Simmer with chicken stock for 2 minutes and drain.
2. Wash chicken. Wipe dry. Cut into serving pieces. Soak mushrooms and red dates until they are tender. Cut into slices. Put chicken, mushroom and red dates into a bowl. Add marinade and stir well. Set aside.
3. Wash rice. Put into a pot. Then add suitable amount of water. Cook until the rice is half done. Then put chicken, mushroom and red dates on top of the rice. Turn to low heat and cook for a while. Add bird’s nest. Cover with lid until the rice is cooked. Mix the ingredients with small amount of soy sauce for color and taste. Add shredded spring onion on top. Serve hot.
November 30th, 2005
Bird’s Nest Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients :
Swallow’s Nest Fragment 1/2 tbsp
Papaya 1 pc (200g)
honey 1/2 tbsp
water some
Method :
1) Soak swallow’s nest and remove tiny features, add water then stew for 2 hours
2) Wash papaya and cut 1/4 of upper part away, serve as a lid
3) Remove all seeds and clean the papaya
4) Put stewed swallow’s nest soup into papaya, cover the papaya lid
5) Use some tooth-picker to fix the lid, put papaya into a steam pot
6) Stew for 1/2 hours over the boiled water, add honey to serve
Remark
Very good to female, especially for the whom breast-feeding.
Serve in hot…
November 30th, 2005
The types, Textures and Shapes of Bird’s Nest
The different products of bird’s nests that can be found in the market include the natural whole nest, nest strips, nest pieces, nest threads and the irregular shaped nest cake processed from nest threads.
The marketed bird’s nest are produced by three different swallow species
The swiftlet: The nest of swiftlet is constructed entirely by its saliva and is commonly termed a whole nest. Since the swiftlet feet on the different food, the saliva and the nest differ in color, varying farm from mainly white, yellow, grey, red and purple. The whole nest gives the best nourishing and replenishing effects to humans. The cooked bird’s nest taste mellow. (Swiftlets are small in size, only about 9 cm in length)
The feathered swallow: This little bird also constructs its nest from saliva and feathers. These nests are of less purity than the whole nest made by the swiftlet. After disintegration and removal of the feathers and impurities, the nest is molded into the shape of a nest cake. The nest cake comes in beautiful shapes and the colour is mainly white and yellow. The therapeutic value of the nest cake is only second to the whole nest. The nest cake has a good swelling capacity. The feathered swallow is found in caves in Malaysia. It has a slightly longer body than swiftlet.
The grass swllow: the body of the gross swallow is the grass is about 12 cm long. The nest is comprised of saliva and grass. Its purity is second to the nest of the feathered swallow and is the cheapest to purchase. Most of the nest pieces and nest threads sold in the markets are from gross swallows. They are the products after the nest has been disintegrated and impurities have been removed. The nest of grass swallow is mainly grassy and yellow in color. The swelling capacity is low but the price is reasonable. It is an excellent choice for beginner
November 28th, 2005
The types, Textures and Shapes of Bird’s Nest
The different products of bird’s nests that can be found in the market include the natural whole nest, nest strips, nest pieces, nest threads and the irregular shaped nest cake processed from nest threads.
The marketed bird’s nest are produced by three different swallow species
The swiftlet: The nest of swiftlet is constructed entirely by its saliva and is commonly termed a whole nest. Since the swiftlet feet on the different food, the saliva and the nest differ in color, varying farm from mainly white, yellow, grey, red and purple. The whole nest gives the best nourishing and replenishing effects to humans. The cooked bird’s nest taste mellow. (Swiftlets are small in size, only about 9 cm in length)
The feathered swallow: This little bird also constructs its nest from saliva and feathers. These nests are of less purity than the whole nest made by the swiftlet. After disintegration and removal of the feathers and impurities, the nest is molded into the shape of a nest cake. The nest cake comes in beautiful shapes and the colour is mainly white and yellow. The therapeutic value of the nest cake is only second to the whole nest. The nest cake has a good swelling capacity. The feathered swallow is found in caves in Malaysia. It has a slightly longer body than swiftlet.
The grass swllow: the body of the gross swallow is the grass is about 12 cm long. The nest is comprised of saliva and grass. Its purity is second to the nest of the feathered swallow and is the cheapest to purchase. Most of the nest pieces and nest threads sold in the markets are from gross swallows. They are the products after the nest has been disintegrated and impurities have been removed. The nest of grass swallow is mainly grassy and yellow in color. The swelling capacity is low but the price is reasonable. It is an excellent choice for beginner
November 28th, 2005
Procedures for soaking bird’s nest:
Soak bird’s nest in warm water for 30 minutes. After removing feather from the bird’s nest, soak in the water for another 3 hours. Leave the soaking water for later use because it contains nutrition from the bird’s nest.
Pour suitable amount of water and bird’s nest into a stewing pot. Stew over low heat for several hours.
(The stewing time differs according to the origin place)
November 28th, 2005
Hirundinidae , From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Swallows and Martins
Welcome Swallow
Welcome Swallow
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Hirundinidae
Vigors, 1825
Genera
Many, see text.
The bird family Hirundinidae is a group of passerines characterised by their adaptation to aerial feeding, and known as swallows and martins. The family comprises two subfamilies: Pseudochelidoninae (the river martins of the genus Pseudochelidon) and Hirundininae (all other swallows and martins). Within the Hirundiniae, the name martin tends to be used for the squarer-tailed species, and the name swallow for the more fork-tailed species; however, there is no scientific distinction between these two groups.
Their adaptations to hunting insects on the wing are a slender streamlined body, and long pointed wings. Like the unrelated swifts and nightjars, which hunt in a similar way, they have short bills, but a wide gape.
The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. Many species have long tails.
Subfamily Pseudochelidoninae (river martins)
* Pseudochelidon
o African River Martin Pseudochelidon eurystomina
o White-eyed River Martin Pseudochelidon sirintarae
Subfamily Hirundininae (all other swallows & martins)
* Psalidoprocne
o Square-tailed Rough-winged Swallow Psalidoprocne nitens
o Cameroon Mountain Rough-winged Swallow Psalidoprocne fuliginosa
o White-headed Rough-winged Swallow Psalidoprocne albiceps
o Black Rough-winged Swallow Psalidoprocne pristoptera
o Fanti Rough-winged Swallow Psalidoprocne obscura
* Pseudhirundo
o Grey-rumped Swallow Pseudhirundo griseopyga
* Cheramoeca
o White-backed Swallow Cheramoeca leucosternus
* Phedina
o Mascarene Martin Phedina borbonica
o Congo Martin Phedina brazzae
* Riparia
o Brown-throated Sand Martin Riparia paludicola
o Congo Sand Martin Riparia congica
o Sand Martin Riparia riparia
o Pale Martin Riparia diluta
o Banded Martin Riparia cincta
* Tachycineta
o Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor
o Violet-green Swallow Tachycineta thalassina
o Golden Swallow Tachycineta euchrysea
o Bahama Swallow Tachycineta cyaneoviridis
o Tumbes Swallow Tachycineta stolzmanni
o Mangrove Swallow Tachycineta albilinea
o White-winged Swallow Tachycineta albiventer
o White-rumped Swallow Tachycineta leucorrhoa
o Chilean Swallow Tachycineta meyeni
* Progne
o Purple Martin Progne subis
o Cuban Martin Progne cryptoleuca
o Caribbean Martin Progne dominicensis
o Sinaloa Martin Progne sinaloae
o Grey-breasted Martin Progne chalybea
o Galapagos Martin Progne modesta
o Peruvian Martin Progne murphyi
o Southern Martin Progne elegans
o Brown-chested Martin Progne tapera
* Notiochelidon
o Brown-bellied Swallow Notiochelidon murina
o Blue-and-white Swallow Notiochelidon cyanoleuca
o Pale-footed Swallow Notiochelidon flavipes
o Black-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileata
* Haplochelidon
o Andean Swallow Neochelidon andecola
* Atticora
o White-banded Swallow Atticora fasciata
o Black-collared Swallow Atticora melanoleuca
* Neochelidon
o White-thighed Swallow Neochelidon tibialis
* Stelgidopteryx
o Northern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx serripennis
o Southern Rough-winged Swallow Stelgidopteryx ruficollis
* Alopochelidon
o Tawny-headed Swallow Alopochelidon fucata
* Hirundo
o Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
o Red-chested Swallow Hirundo lucida
o Angolan Swallow Hirundo angolensis
o Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica
o Welcome Swallow Hirundo neoxena
o White-throated Swallow Hirundo albigularis
o Ethiopian Swallow Hirundo aethiopica
o Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
o White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita
o Pied-winged Swallow Hirundo leucosoma
o White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis
o Pearl-breasted Swallow Hirundo dimidiata
o Montane Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea
o Black-and-rufous Swallow Hirundo nigrorufa
* Ptyonoprogne
o Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris
o Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
o Dusky Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne concolor
* Delichon
o House Martin Delichon urbicum
o Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus
o Nepal House Martin Delichon nipalense
* Cecropis
o Greater Striped Swallow Cecropis cucullata
o Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica
o Rufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa
o Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis
o Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
o Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata
o Rufous-bellied Swallow Cecropis badia
* Petrochelidon
o Red-throated Swallow Petrochelidon rufigula
o Preuss’s Swallow Petrochelidon preussi
o Red Sea Swallow Petrochelidon perdita
o South African Swallow Petrochelidon spilodera
o Forest Swallow Petrochelidon fuliginosa
o Streak-throated Swallow Petrochelidon fluvicola
o Fairy Martin Petrochelidon ariel
o Tree Martin Petrochelidon nigricans
o Cliff Swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
o Cave Swallow Petrochelidon fulva
o Chestnut-collared Swallow Petrochelidon rufocollaris
November 27th, 2005
Any of the 74 species of the bird family Hirundinidae (order Passeriformes). A few, including the bank swallow, are called martins (see martin; see also woodswallow; for sea swallow, see tern). Swallows are small, with pointed narrow wings, short bills, and small weak feet; some species have forked tails. Plumage may be plain or marked with metallic blue or green; the sexes look alike in most species.
Swallows spend much time in the air, capturing insects; they are among the most agile of passerine birds. For nesting, swallows may use a hole or cranny in a tree, burrow into a sandbank, or plaster mud onto a wall or ledge to house three to seven white, sometimes speckled, eggs.
Photograph:Common swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Common swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Stephen Dalton—Natural History Photographic Agency/EB Inc.
Swallows occur worldwide except in the coldest regions and remotest islands. Temperate-zone species include long-distance migrants. The common swallow (Hirundo rustica; see photograph) is almost worldwide in migration; an American species, called barn swallow, may summer in Canada and winter in Argentina. The 10 species of Petrochelidon, which make flask-shaped mud nests, include the cliff swallow (P. pyrrhonota), the bird of San Juan Capistrano Mission, in California; as with other swallows, it has strong homing instincts.
November 27th, 2005
ImageA natural bird’s nest is the real bird’s nest. Illegal merchants may coat a layer of egg white or jelly on poor quality imitations. This increases the weight. The fake bird’s nest will reflect light and look opaque. In contrast, light will penetrate through a real bird’s nest. Some fraudulent bird’s nests are made of “Malaysia rubber” or “pig skin”. The former smells and tastes acidic and does not contain nest threads while the latter releases oil after soaking in water.
As for the quality, generally speaking, the price is a fair guideline in reflecting the quality of the bird’s nest. The higher the quality and category of a bird’s nests, the greater the nutritional value, swelling capacity and beauty and vice versa.
November 27th, 2005
* Shape and volume : the best bird’s nests is in the shape of a boat or spoon. Bird’s nest can be triangular in shape if they have been built in the corner of two adjacent walls. However for nutritional value the shape does not matter. Bird’s nests that are broader in width rank higher. The real bird’s nest should be in a natural shape.
* Color and Purity : The best bird’s nest should be of natural colour, containing no mud and other impurities like moss. The colour of the white nest is an actual ivory. The yellow nest and the bloodyred nest are coloured straw and red, respectively. The variations and intensity in the colour are due to the difference in the mineral constituents of the food the swallow ate. The bird’s nests, regardless of their colour, swell when soaked in clear water. The colouration in the bird’s nest will fade and the nest threads look transparent after swelling. However, the water used for soaking should still remain transparent and colourless.
* Density and Swelling Capacity : Bird’s nests that have finer and denser nest threads appear almost gapless. They are bigger and thicker in volume and should have a higher swelling capacity. The swelling capacity refers to the water holding ability of a bird’s nest. The higher the swelling capacity, the greater the bird’s nest distends after immersion in water. Bird’s nests of different categories show different magnitudes of swelling capacity, i. e. the ratio between the weight of the bird’s nest before and after swelling can be different. The swelling capacity should be measured by weight instead of by volume.
* Flavor and Dryness : Bird’s nest should be selected by smell. A real bird’s nest retains a little bit of a fishy smell of the swallow’s saliva. When cooked, it releases a light aroma resembling the aroma of an egg white. It is essential to select a dry bird’s nest. A bird’s nest that is sticky and soft is certainly not dry enough. A wet bird’s nest weighs heavier thus the price will be overcharged from the extra weight. A wet bird’s nest would not be convenient for storage as it would attract mould easily and has a low swelling capacity.
* Price and Creditability : Bird’s nests should be purchased in person and selected by “looking”, “smelling” and “touching”. The price of the bird’s nest should be weighed against the flavor, size, thickness of the nest, fineness of the threads, dryness, and a good swelling capacity. It is not possible to buy a good quality bird’s nest at fair price if the goods have not been examined and the quality and category evaluated. The most trustful way to purchase a high quality bird’s nest is to buy from shops having a good reputation and guaranteed quality.
November 27th, 2005
Edible bird’s nest is the nest made purely of swiftlet’s saliva secretion. This nest is usually found in caves near shoreline cliffs or under eaves of house and is hand-collected. Hairs and filth are then removed from the nest before manufacturing.
The Swiftlet bird (scientifically named Collocalia, known as Walet in Indonesia) belongs to the Apodidae family, which is not the same as the common Swallow bird. Swiftlet birds live in flocks along tropical seaside and consume wild insects. From the appearance, Swiftlet differs from the so called “House Swallow” size wise. The average body length of a Swiftlet is 9 centimeters, about half the size of a Swallow.
Swiftlet has a shorter and rectangular-sharped tail while Swallow has a longer and forked tail.
The average life span of a Swiftlet is about 15 to 18 years. Its age influences the quality of its nest. In general, the older the bird is, the more simmer-tolerant the nest is.
November 27th, 2005
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