Roast Chicken Burmese Style Food

THE BEST ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Sprinkle generously with at least 4 teaspoons salt all over the outside of the bird and inside the cavity. Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the salt to penetrate. Or you can refrigerate it, uncovered, up to 1 day ahead.
• Set a wire rack inside a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the lemon wedges, garlic and herbs with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Stuff the lemons, garlic and herbs in the cavity of the chicken. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the wing tips underneath the back. Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet. If you refrigerated the chicken, let it sit at room temperature 30 minutes to 1 hour before roasting.
• Just before roasting, brush the oil over the entire outside of the chicken (but don't worry about the bottom), making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies so they evenly brown. Roast the chicken, rotating the baking sheet after 35 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and crispy and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 155 degrees F, 70 to 80 minutes (the temperature will climb to 165 degrees as the chicken rests).
• Let the chicken rest on the baking sheet for 20 minutes (do not tent with foil or the chicken will overcook and the skin will get soggy).
• Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and discard the lemons, garlic and herbs. Carve into serving pieces.

ROAST CHICKEN BURMESE STYLE

Steps:

• Wash and rib chicken with salt, cayenne pepper, black pepper and soy sauce.
• Scrape ginger, slice in 1/8 inch slices, then cut into strips 1/8 inch wide.
• Heat oil. Fry ginger until light brown. Scoop out with strainer. Add chicken to the oil and brown it on each side.
• Add 1 cup water with remaining soy from marinade and half the fried ginger. Lower heat and let simmer, covered.
• Soak mushrooms in water until swelled. Clean carefully. Peel onions and slice thickly. Peel garlic and halve cloves lengthwise.
• When chicken is tender, correct seasoning, adding more soy as desired. Add onions, garlic, mushrooms and 1/2 cup water, and cook until water is absorbed.
• Arrange serving dish with crisp ginger, onions and garlic over chicken.

CHINESE ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix together soy sauce, lemon juice, honey, sesamme oil, dry mustard, ginger, garlic and ground black pepper to make the marinade.
• Place chicken in a bowl or zip lock plastic bag.
• Pour marinade over it.
• Marinate in refrigerator for at least one hour, I marinate it for at least 12 hours.
• Turn the chicken over in marinade occasionally.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Roast chicken on rack until chicken is dark brown and a fork can be inserted with ease, at least 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Bring marinade to full boil and use to baste chicken every 15 minutes.

GAENG GAI BAMA (CHICKEN CURRY BURMESE STYLE)

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over low heat, and stir fry the shallots until browned and tender. Drain, reserving the oil, and set aside.
• Place the chicken in the skillet with the reserved oil, and stir in the curry paste and curry powder to evenly coat. Pour in enough water to cover, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover skillet, and simmer until the chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
• Stir the coconut milk, tomato puree, fish sauce, sugar, and 1/2 the tomato wedges into the skillet. Cook and stir over low heat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
• Mix in the remaining tomatoes, and continue cooking until tender. Top with cilantro and the fried shallots to serve.