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View Full Version : REV: Lemongrass Chicken from 2/05 Oprah


lindaofthelakes
02-28-2005, 01:30 PM
We thought this was GREAT!!. Great complex flavor. Although not authentic Thai or Vietnamese it had a lot of the great flavors of these cuisines (Coconut Milk, Lemongrass, Chilies,Fish Sauce Rice wine).

My only changes were regular Coconut milk instaed of light and omitting the salt since I felt the fish sauce would make it salty enough.

You could esily sub shrimp for the chicken or Broccoli for the Green Beans if you like.

Here is recipe:
Lemongrass Chicken
Created by Nina Simonds
From the February, 2005 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
Makes 6 servings

Inspired by trips to India and Thailand, lemongrass chicken with green beans contains six cloves of garlic, which scientists believe strengthens the immune system. Adapted from Spices of Life.
INGREDIENTS
Seasoning:
2 dried red chiles, seeds removed, or 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
4 stalks lemongrass, ends trimmed, tough outer stalks removed, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
6 cloves garlic

Coconut sauce:
1 1/2 cups light coconut milk
2 1/2 Tablespoons Thai fish sauce
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 Teaspoons salt

Chicken:
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 1/2 pounds green beans, cut in half on the diagonal
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
1 1/2 medium red bell peppers, thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons rice wine
1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

To make seasoning: With the machine running, drop the chiles, followed by lemongrass and then garlic, into a blender and process. Pulse several times, until the mixture forms a paste and becomes smooth; set aside.

To make coconut sauce: In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients; set aside.

To prepare chicken: Place chicken breasts on a cutting board. With the blade of a sharp knife parallel to the board, thinly slice breasts; set aside.

In a 3-quart casserole or a large skillet with a lid, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add green beans and cook until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes; drain. Refresh under cold water; drain again.

Heat 1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil in the same pan over high heat until very hot. Add chicken and stir-fry until cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate; drain excess fat.

In the same pan over medium-low heat, warm remaining 1 1/2 Tablespoons oil. Add seasoning and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.

Increase heat to medium. Add onions and stir-fry 1 minute, then add bell peppers and rice wine; stir-fry 1 minute. Cover and cook until the vegetables are tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Add beans and coconut sauce; bring to a boil. Add chicken, cover, and simmer until the beans are tender, about 5 minutes.

Stir in basil and taste for seasoning; add more salt if necessary. Scoop chicken and vegetables into a bowl and serve with steamed rice if desired.

cniles
02-28-2005, 02:34 PM
Thanks for the review Linda! I'm printing it out now.

BTW - welcome to the boards!:)

jtoepfert100
02-28-2005, 02:55 PM
Thanks for the review, Linda. I'm with you - that seems like way too much salt to use when also using fish sauce. Thanks also for your substitution recommendations - course, now I'll have to decide if I want to use chicken or shrimp.:)

Peggy
02-28-2005, 07:06 PM
How spicy (hot) was this recipe? It looks wonderful but I am shying away alittle because of the two dried red chiles. My family hsa delicate taste buds.:o I would appreciate an assessment of the heat in the recipe.

Thanks!

Peggy

lindaofthelakes
02-28-2005, 07:21 PM
It was not hot just a balance of Spicy, Salty, Sweet, Coconut that you get in Thai /Vietnamese food. (I can't take hot food myself.)That said my Chilies were not the freshest so that may have kept my heat level down. I think you could easily only use one chile and add some tabasco/cayenne or chile paste after cooking if you wanted to be more cautious.

Peggy
02-28-2005, 11:42 PM
Thanks for your input! I think I will give it a try.:)

Peggy