Basics of Beggar’s Chicken (To see the origin, scroll down)
叫花鸡是一道传统的湖南名菜，其特色在于将鸡肉与多种药材一起腌制，再用竹篾将整只鸡包裹起来，在炭火上慢慢烤制而成。腌制的过程中，常用的调料包括桂皮、茴香、丁香、八角、草果、姜、蒜等，这些调料不仅可以增加鸡肉的香气和味道，还具有一定的保健作用。烤制时，用炭火烤制，让鸡肉外焦里嫩，入口鲜嫩多汁，香味四溢，成为一道美味可口的传统佳肴。通常叫花鸡会配以蒜泥、辣椒等佐料食用，更能突显其独特的风味。
jiào huā jī shì yīdào chuántǒng de húnán míng cài, qí tèsè zàiyú jiāng jīròu yǔ duō zhǒng yàocái yīqǐ yān zhì, zài yòng zhú miè jiāng zhěng zhǐ jī bāoguǒ qǐlái, zài tànhuǒ shàng màn man kǎo zhì ér chéng. Yān zhì de guòchéng zhōng, chángyòng de tiáoliào bāokuò guìpí, huíxiāng, dīngxiāng, bājiǎo, cǎo guǒ, jiāng, suàn děng, zhèxiē tiáoliào bùjǐn kěyǐ zēngjiā jīròu de xiāngqì hé wèidào, hái jùyǒu yīdìng de bǎojiàn zuòyòng. Kǎo zhì shí, yòng tànhuǒ kǎo zhì, ràng jīròu wài jiāo lǐ nèn, rùkǒu xiānnèn duō zhī, xiāngwèi sì yì, chéngwéi yīdào měiwèi kěkǒu de chuántǒng jiāyáo. Tōngcháng jiào huā jī huì pèi yǐ suànní, làjiāo děng zuǒ liào shíyòng, gèng néng tūxiǎn qí dútè de fēngwèi.
Beggar’s Chicken is a traditional Hunan famous dish, which is characterized by marinating the chicken with various herbs, wrapping the whole chicken with bamboo strips, and slowly roasting it over charcoal fire. In the process of marinating, commonly used seasonings include cinnamon, fennel, cloves, star anise, grass fruit, ginger, garlic, etc. These seasonings can not only increase the aroma and taste of chicken, but also have certain health effects. When grilling, use charcoal fire to make the chicken charred on the outside and tender on the inside, tender and juicy in the mouth, full of fragrance, and become a delicious traditional delicacy. Usually beggar chicken is eaten with condiments such as mashed garlic and chili, which can highlight its unique flavor.
关于“叫花鸡”的名字来源，有一种流行的说法是：
在古时候，江湖上的叫化子常常行乞讨生活，他们往往只有一只锅，一把铲，和一只鸡。由于没有固定的住所，他们经常会在路边、树下或是草丛里搭帐篷过夜。当饥饿来袭时，叫化子就会用简单的方法，把鸡宰杀后，加入一些调料，将其腌制后在火上烤熟。这种烤鸡不仅味道鲜美，而且简单易行，叫化子们一般都能做到。由于叫化子们乞讨生活，所以这种烤鸡也就被称为“叫花鸡”。
不过，这只是一个流传的说法，关于“叫花鸡”名字的确切来源并没有确凿的历史记录。但是无论如何，“叫花鸡”已经成为了一道具有传统特色的湖南美食，享有着盛誉。
Guānyú “jiào huā jī” de míngzì láiyuán, yǒuyī zhǒng liúxíng de shuōfǎ shì: Zài gǔ shíhòu, jiānghú shàng de jiàohuāzi chángcháng xíng qǐtǎo shēnghuó, tāmen wǎngwǎng zhǐyǒu yī zhǐ guō, yī bǎ chǎn, hé yī zhǐ jī. Yóuyú méiyǒu gùdìng de zhùsuǒ, tāmen jīngcháng huì zài lù biān, shù xià huò shì cǎocóng lǐ dā zhàngpéng guòyè. Dāng jī’è lái xí shí, jiàohuāzi jiù huì yòng jiǎndān de fāngfǎ, bǎ jī zǎishā hòu, jiārù yīxiē tiáoliào, jiāng qí yān zhì hòu zài huǒ shàng kǎo shú. Zhè zhǒng kǎo jī bùjǐn wèidào xiānměi, érqiě jiǎndān yì xíng, jiàohuāzimen yībān dōu néng zuò dào. Yóuyú jiàohuāzimen qǐtǎo shēnghuó, suǒyǐ zhè zhǒng kǎo jī yě jiù bèi chēng wèi “jiào huā jī”. Bùguò, zhè zhǐshì yīgè liúchuán de shuōfǎ, guānyú “jiào huā jī” míngzì dí quèqiè láiyuán bìng méiyǒu quèzuò de lìshǐ jìlù. Dànshì wúlùn rúhé,“jiào huā jī” yǐjīng chéngwéile yīdào jùyǒu chuántǒng tèsè de húnán měishí, xiǎngyǒuzhe shèngyù.
There is a popular theory about the origin of the name “Beggar’s Chicken”:
In ancient times, beggars in the rivers and lakes often lived by begging. They often only had a pot, a shovel, and a chicken. Since they have no fixed residence, they often spend the night in tents by the roadside, under trees or in the grass. When hunger strikes, the beggar will use a simple method. After slaughtering the chicken, add some seasonings, marinate it and roast it on the fire. This grilled chicken is not only delicious, but also simple and easy, and beggars can usually do it. Because beggars beg for a living, this kind of roast chicken is also called “beggar chicken”.
However, this is just a rumor, and there is no conclusive historical record about the exact origin of the name “Beggar Chicken”. But in any case, “Beggar’s Chicken” has become a traditional Hunan delicacy and enjoys a high reputation.