Lemon Grass Stock Food

LEMONGRASS CHICKEN

Steps:

• slice chicken into bite size pieces. combine with the fish sauce, sugar, 3/4 lemongrass, 1/2 chilli and 1 chopped garlic clove. Marinate for 2 hours (ideally marinated overnight, or if in a rush give it as much time in the marinate as possible). I've marinated for 10min and its fine.
• In a large saucepan on medium heat, add the oil, remaining 3/4 lemongrass, 1/2 chilli, 2 chopped garlic cloves. Fry just until garlic starts to brown.
• Then add the chicken and add the onions and fry for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occassionally.
• Add the chicken stock and stir for 1min. Reduce the heat slightly and cook for a further 4 min or until the liquid has reduced slightly.
• Put it into a bowl and garnish with coriander leaves, bit of cracked pepper, fried onions or spring onions. To serve with boiled jasmine rice.
• TIP: if the ingredients start to become dry in the pan at any stage, add water (or some of the chicken stock) to stop it from burning.
• You can also find the fried onions at oriental stores, they are a great garnish on pretty much any vietnamese dish!

LEMON GRASS STOCK

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a medium stockpot and bring to boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer 15 minutes, skimming any fat that rises to the surface.
• Strain.

LEMON GRASS CHICKEN SOUP

Steps:

• In an 1 to 10-quart pan, bring broth to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, pull off and discard course outer layers from lemon grass and trim off and discard stem ends. Cut each stalk into about 3-inch lengths. With the flat side of a knife, lightly crush lemon grass and ginger. Cut one or two chilies in half lengthwise (use two if you'd like it spicy); stem remaining chilies (seed, if desired, for less heat), finely chop and reserve. Add lemon grass, ginger, and halved chilies to boiling broth. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, rinse cabbage and cut into shreds about 1/4 inch wide and 2 to 3 inches long. Rinse mushrooms, trim off and discard stem ends and discolored parts, and slice lengthwise 1/4 inch thick. Peel carrots and slice 1/4 inch thick. Rinse chicken and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices 1 1/2 to 2 inches long.
• With a slotted spoon, remove and discard lemon grass, ginger and chilies from broth.
• Add cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, and garlic to broth; cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until carrots are tender when pierced, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add chicken and tomatoes with their juice. Cover and cook over high heat until chicken is no longer pink in the center (cut to test). This will take about 3 to 5 minutes. Add lemon juice and fish sauce to taste. Sprinkle with green onions.
• Place rice, lemon wedges, cilantro and chopped chilies in separate bowls and offer with soup to add to taste.