Method

Step 1: Remove breasts from chickens, keeping skin attached. Cut chicken carcasses into smaller pieces. Place chicken breasts on a plate or tray and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sea salt. Set aside for 5 minutes then remove excess salt with paper towel or a clean tea towel.

Step 2: For the smoking mix, combine all ingredients in a bowl. Make a foil bowl to large enough to hold the mix. Add the ingredients, then place the bowl into a wok lined with foil. Heat over high heat until the mixture starts to smoke, then reduce heat to medium and cook chicken breasts on a wok rack with the lid on, for 20 minutes or until cooked through. Set aside to rest, covered for 5 minutes.

Step 3: For the broth, pound garlic and peppercorns in a mortar and pestle until lightly crushed. Heat oil in a large saucepan over high heat, cook garlic mixture and chicken bones for 10-15 minutes until browned. Add 2L of water and the remaining broth ingredients to the pan and bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain through a sieve lined with muslin cloth. Return broth to a clean saucepan and keep warm.

Step 4: For the dumplings, heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat, cook garlic and chives for 1-2 minutes. Drain on paper towel and set aside to cool. Process the chicken thighs in a small food processor until a rough mince forms. Transfer to a bowl, add cooled garlic mixture, shaoxing wine, and season with salt and pepper. Knead with your hands until the mixture is sticky and elastic. Refrigerate, covered for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Place the gow gee wrappers on a clean surface, place a teaspoon of the chicken mixture in the centre of each wrapper. Moisten the edges of each wrapper with a little water. Fold each wrapper in half, enclosing the filling to form a semicircle, making sure not to trap any air. Moisten the curved edge again and make tiny pleats all along the curved side. Cover with a damp cloth and set aside.

Step 6: Meanwhile, cook Chinese broccoli in a saucepan of boiling salted water for 1-2 minutes or until just tender. Remove and drain. Add the noodles to the saucepan of boiling water, cook for 5 minutes or until cooked through.

Step 7: Heat a saucepan of water over medium heat, cook dumplings for 3-4 minutes or until the filling is cooked.

Step 8: For the garlic chive paste, process all ingredients except the oil in a small food processor until a smooth paste forms. With the motor still running, add oil in a thin, steady stream until paste thickens.

Step 9: To serve, slice the chicken breast and arrange in a bowl on top of the noodles, broccoli and dumplings. Pour over the broth. Serve with chive paste on the side.