Cutting up Raw Chickens

Chinese cooks begin cutting up raw chicken the same way Western cooks do, but they take it a few steps further, ending up with close to twenty pieces. Remember, the result will be eaten with chopsticks, so the pieces must be bite-sized. The Chinese take pleasure in picking around the bones, for the good flavor they impart and for the simple fun of it. This method of cutting up chicken is used for steamed dishes, such as Steamed Chicken with Sausage, and stir-fried dishes such as Beef with Asparagus when chicken pieces are substituted for beef.