Crispy Fried Bamboo Rat

Crispy Fried Bamboo Rat

　　The bamboo rat, about the size of a rabbit, is commonly called "hou zi" locally. It is a wild animal unique to the Bashan Mountains and lives underground year-round, feeding on tender bamboo roots. As a result, its meat is tender and delicate, rivaling that of chicken. To prepare crispy fried bamboo rat, a one to two-kilogram specimen is selected, slaughtered, and then dehaired. It is soaked in clean water to remove blood, then boiled until cooked and left to dry. The whole body is coated with seasonings such as salt, ginger juice, ground Sichuan pepper, and soy sauce. It is then coated with an egg batter and deep-fried until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Once done, it is removed from the oil and plated. Finally, a sauce made from stock, starch, a little sugar, and pepper is poured over the entire dish. The result is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and deliciously fragrant. It can also be braised in soy sauce, stewed plainly, or roasted, all with excellent flavor.