Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

Ingredients and Weight:

• Chicken: 2 whole chickens or 8 chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
• Lemongrass: 4-5 stalks
• Fish sauce: 3 tablespoons
• Fresh ginger: 1 small piece (about 2 inches)
• Thai red curry paste: 2 tablespoons
• Oil for cooking: 2 tablespoons
• Salt and sugar: 1 teaspoon each
• Freshly ground black pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
• Water or chicken broth: 4 cups
• Bell peppers or green onions: 1 cup (optional)

Preparation Time:

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes

Difficulty Level: Level 3 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Prepare the chicken by cutting into serving pieces or using whole chicken breasts. Set aside.
2. Clean and thinly slice the lemongrass.
3. Peel and thinly slice the ginger.
4. In a large pot, heat the oil and add the lemongrass, ginger, and curry paste. Sauté for a minute.
5. Add the chicken pieces and cook for a few minutes until slightly browned.
6. Pour in the water or chicken broth, add fish sauce, salt, sugar, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat and let simmer for about an hour, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has reduced.
8. If using bell peppers or green onions, add them during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
9. Adjust seasoning and serve hot with rice or as a main dish with steamed vegetables.

Nutritional Information: (Per serving)

• Calories: depends on the amount of chicken and other ingredients used, but generally around 300-400 calories per serving.
• Protein: from chicken.
• Fat: from chicken and cooking oil.
• Carbohydrates: from rice (if served with).
• Fiber: from vegetables (if served with).

Dish Characteristics:

• A rich and flavorful dish with a strong lemongrass aroma.
• The combination of lemongrass, fish sauce, and red curry paste creates a unique and appetizing flavor that is both sweet and spicy.
• A traditional Vietnamese dish that is hearty and comforting.

User Comments:

• "This dish was amazing! The lemongrass flavor was so unique and refreshing."
• "I love the combination of flavors in this dish. It's spicy but not too spicy, and the lemongrass adds a nice fresh touch."
• "I was expecting this to be too complex for my taste, but it was perfect! The balance of flavors was spot on."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Use fresh lemongrass for best results. If not available, dried lemongrass can be used but may not yield the same results.
• Adjust the amount of fish sauce, red curry paste, sugar, and pepper according to personal preference for a custom flavor profile.
• This dish pairs well with steamed rice or other types of rice dishes.