Chinese ham is heavily salted then air-dried, so it's dense and flavourful. For the stock, buy the cheaper scraps and bones, but for cooking with the abalone, pick a nice, tidy piece.

Many people associate steaming with bland, boring diet food, but in Chinese cuisine ... Put the lily stems and wood-ear mushrooms in a bowl, cover with hot water and leave to soak for about ...

Remove ring and repeat with the remaining parsnip and duck - you should have 4. Cook until crisp and golden on both sides. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan and when hot add the mushrooms.