Crimson Phoenix Dancing (Chicken with Chilli, Basil, Lemongrass, and Coriander Root) Recipe vorpal
- 2 cups cooking oil
- 2 chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into 1/2" cubes
- 2 tbsp rice wine
- 1 tbsp tapioca starch
- 2 large shallots, peeled and sliced thinly
- 5 red chillies, deseeded
- 10 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 large pinch coarse salt
- 2 stalks lemongrass, sliced into thin rounds
- 10 coriander roots, minced
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 4 tbsp Thai light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Thai dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp palm sugar
- 1 red pepper, cut into 1/2" squares
- 1 generous handful Thai basil leaves
- Velvet the chicken.
- Marinate the chicken in the cooking wine and tapioca starch for an hour or so.
- Heat the cooking oil in a large saucepan to medium-high.
- Proceed in batches so as to not crowd the chicken, and allow the oil to reheat between batches: add chicken to the oil and cook for 10-15 seconds, just until white on the outside.
- Remove using a slotted spoon, allowing the oil to drain, and set aside.
- Fry the shallots.
- In the same cooking oil, on medium-high heat, add the shallots.
- Stir frequently, cooking until medium-brown.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Pound the chillies and the garlic with the coarse salt in a mortar and pestle to form a paste.
- Heat the 5 tbsp of oil (I recommend using the oil the shallots were cooked in as it is most flavourful) in a wok over high heat.
- When hot, add the garlic-chilli paste and stir-fry for 30 seconds, careful not to burn.
- Reduce heat to medium-high, add the lemongrass and coriander roots, and stir-fry for another 15 seconds.
- Stir in chicken and cook for one minute; then add the broth, the soy sauces, and the palm sugar, and cook for another minute, making sure that the chicken is fully cooked.
- Mix in the red pepper and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- Remove from heat and mix in basil.
- Serve on jasmine rice, topping with a palmful of deep fried shallots.
cooking oil, chicken breasts, rice wine, tapioca, shallots, red chillies, garlic, coarse salt, stalks lemongrass, coriander roots, chicken broth, soy sauce, soy sauce, sugar, red pepper, generous handful
Taken from www.chowhound.com/recipes/crimson-phoenix-dancing-chicken-chilli-basil-lemongrass-coriander-root-27790 (may not work)