Chinese food step-by-step guide to preparing Beggar's Chicken:

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (about 2 kg)
500g of coarse salt
200g of flour
300ml of water
5 garlic cloves, minced
3 spring onions, chopped
2 tablespoons of Shaoxing rice wine
2 tablespoons of dark soy sauce
1 tablespoon of light soy sauce
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
1 tablespoon of sugar
1 teaspoon of ground black pepper
10 dried lotus leaves
Fresh herbs (such as ginger, scallions, and cilantro)

Instructions:

1- Clean the chicken thoroughly and pat it dry with paper towels.

2- In a large bowl, mix the salt, flour, and water together to form a thick paste. The consistency should be like wet sand.

3- Preheat the oven to 180°C.

4- Stuff the chicken with the fresh herbs, minced garlic, and chopped spring onions.

5- In a separate bowl, mix the Shaoxing rice wine, dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and black pepper together.

6- Pour the sauce over the chicken, coating it well on all sides.

7- Take a few pieces of lotus leaves and soak them in water for a few minutes until they are pliable. Then wrap them around the chicken, making sure to cover it completely.

8- Repeat this process with more layers of lotus leaves until the chicken is completely covered.

9- Spread the salt dough evenly on a baking tray, creating a bed for the wrapped chicken.

10- Place the wrapped chicken on top of the salt dough bed.

11-Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the size of the chicken. The chicken should be completely cooked through and the lotus leaves will be charred.

12- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

13- Use a hammer or knife to crack open the salt crust. Be careful not to burn yourself as steam will escape.

14- Carefully remove the lotus leaves and discard them.

15- Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and garnish with fresh herbs.

 Serve hot and enjoy!