42. Preparation of Fish Maw

• 1 oz. puffed fish maw
• Water

Dried puffed fish maw is soaked in water to soften it. Soak the fish maw in a quantity of cold water, weighting the maw down with a small plate, and occasionally squeezing the bubbles out of it. After 1 to 2 hours it is sufficiently softened.

Bring 3 pints (8 cups) water to the boil, and place the maw in it. Boil for 5 to 10 minutes, then drain and rinse the maw and chop in into ½-inch