Shark Fin Soup

Pour hot water over shark fin and soak it until the water cools, then wash fin well and place it in cold water to soak overnight. After soaking, the 2 ounces should yield about 2 cups.

Bring water to a boil, add ginger and shark fin and simmer, covered, for one hour, then set aside to cool in the pan. When cold, drain and rinse the fin briefly under cold water.

Bring chicken broth to a boil, add shark fin, salt, sugar, and pepper and simmer slowly for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, shell and devein prawns, rinse them and sprinkle them with sherry and the salt. Cut chicken breast into shreds, add them to the broth, and simmer for 8 minutes. Add soy sauce, monosodium glutamate and prawns, bring to a boil and remove from the heat immediately. Let soup stand, covered, for 15 minutes. Serve shark fin soup hot, garnished with minced green onion.