Lemongrass chicken (ga xao sa ot)
4 Servings
Ingredients
| Quantity | Ingredient | |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Ceideburg | ||
| 2 | pounds | Chicken parts |
| 2 | Stalks lemongrass | |
| 2 | tablespoons | Fish sauce |
| 1 | teaspoon | Sugar |
| ½ | teaspoon | Kosher salt |
| ¼ | teaspoon | Freshly ground pepper |
| 3 | Green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces | |
| 1 | tablespoon | Minced garlic |
| Oil, for stir frying | ||
| 2 | Fresh red chiles, seeded and julienned | |
| 1 | Handful fresh basil or mint leaves or a combination (optional) | |
Directions
1. Chop chicken with a cleaver into braising pieces about 1 inch thick. Remove tops and tough outer leaves of lemongrass and slice tender hearts as thin as possible. In a bowl combine chicken, lemongrass, 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce, sugar, salt, pepper, green onions, and garlic and toss to season chicken evenly. Marinate ½ to 1 hour.
2. in a wok or skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chile, stir-fry a few seconds, and add chicken mixture. Stir-fry until chicken shows no trace of pink (about 10 minutes). Add a little water if necessary to prevent scorching. When chicken is done sprinkle with remaining fish sauce, toss with basil or mint if used, and transfer to serving platter. Serves 4 with other dishes.
Variation: Use 1 pound boneless chicken, cut into ¼-inch cubes, and cook over high heat (about 2 or 3 minutes).
From the California Culinary Academy's "Southeast Asian Cooking", Jay Harlow, published by the Chevron Chemical Company, 1987. ISBN 0-89721-098-0.