Lemongrass Chicken

Photo: flickr user Marshall Astor - Food Pornographer

Ingredients

1 frying chicken

hacked into serving pieces

1/2 cup lemongrass--see note

3 scallion finely mince

green and white parts

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons peanut oil

2 smalls chili peppers-small red

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 cup chicken stock

1/2 cup peanuts

2 tablespoons nuoc nam-fish sauce, see note*

2 tablespoons coriander leaves

Preparation

NOTES:A. Lemongrass, Remove outer leaves of the lemongrass and finely slice the tender white part at the base of the stalk. Bruise on the cutting board with a large mortar and pestle or handle of a cleaver, or a wine bottle. Of course a Cuisinart with a 1mm slicer will do the same thing but sometimes smashing is good.

B. Fish Sauce, Nuoc Nam brand name is Tiparos from Thailand. Fish sauce can be from Vietnam or Cambodia and should be tasted to determine the saltiness and the taste. Some of the fish sauce is cloudy and unfiltered, I would avoid such products. The best fish sauce is tea colored and semi-clear to coffee colored.

METHOD: Mix the chicken pieces with the salt, pepper, lemongrass and scallions. Set aside for at least 30 minutes, overnight is better. Heat the Wok, add the oil, when the oil is hot add the chicken pieces, stir and cook for 3 or more minutes. Add the chili peppers and stir and cook over medium heat until chicken no longer looks pink. Season with sugar and more of the black pepper, (or use white pepper at this step). Add the chicken stock stir for a few more minutes.

GARNISHES: Garnish with Nuoc Nam, Peanuts and Coriander.