Ginger Chicken With Watercress Food

CARAMELIZED GINGER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cut each chicken thigh into three equal pieces. Place in a large bowl with the ginger, two-thirds of the oil, and salt and pepper. Cover and marinate for about 6 hours in the refrigerator.
• Heat a large, heavy-based frying pan and pour in the remaining oil. Fry until the meat is colored, about 2 minutes, then drain away the excess oil.
• Add the fish sauce, cover the pan with a lid, and steam until the sauce has dissolved, about 1 minute.
• Now add the prepared caramel to the pan and cook until the caramel has thickened and coated the chicken in a rich golden color, about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• To serve, arrange the chicken pieces on a serving platter and garnish with watercress.

POACHED GINGER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Put the chicken in a medium pot with just enough water to cover; add 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook until the chicken is firm to the touch, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare a bowl of salted ice water. Drain the chicken and plunge into the ice water for about 30 seconds to stop the cooking. Drain again. Grate the ginger and shallot into a small bowl. Stir in 3 tablespoons peanut oil, the sesame oil and 1/4 teaspoon each sugar and salt. Toss the cucumber and radishes with the chili sauce, 3/4 teaspoon salt, the remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon sugar in a large bowl. Add the watercress and toss. Divide the salad among plates. Slice the chicken and add to the plates, then top with the ginger mixture. Drizzle with the lime juice.
• Photograph by Antonis Achilleos

STIR-FRIED CHICKEN WITH WATERCRESS

Steps:

• Toss chicken with 1 tablespoon cornstarch. In a small bowl, whisk together broth, vinegar, sugar, garlic chili sauce, soy sauce, and remaining cornstarch; set aside.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Saute chicken until golden brown and cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes; remove chicken and set aside. Add leek, jicama, bell pepper, ginger, and garlic; cook, stirring frequently until jicama is crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Return chicken to pan along with watercress; cook until watercress has wilted, about 2 minutes.
• Whisk soy sauce mixture, then add to pan. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly until the sauce has thickened, about 1 minute. Serve immediately.

ROAST CHICKEN WITH WATERCRESS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place onion and garlic inside chicken cavity. Slide fingertips between chicken breast skin and meat to loosen skin. Stuff chopped watercress under skin. Tie chicken lets together. Place chicken in roasting pan. Rub butter over chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Bake chicken until juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced, basting every 15 minutes with pan juices, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to platter. Let stand 10 minutes. Surround with remaining watercress and serve.

WATERCRESS CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper to taste; add to skillet and cook 5 minutes, turning once, until lightly browned. Drain off any fat; add broth, soy sauce, lime juice and ginger. Reduce heat and simmer chicken mixture for 20 minutes, until cooked through and the chicken is no longer pink in the center. With a slotted spoon, transfer chicken to a plate; cover and keep warm.
• Cut each bunch of watercress in half; add to skillet along with the green onions and cilantro; cover and cook 2-3 minutes, until onions are tender-crisp.
• Divide the greens and broth mixture between 4 serving plates. Place 2 chicken thighs over top of greens, and serve with rice, if desired.