Description:

Savory chicken with Asian flavors

Source:

Peggy C.

Serves/Makes:4 or more

Ingredients

• 6 2" to 3" dried shitake mushrooms, or equivalent
• warm water
• 1 medium onion,thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• 2 lbs (.9 kg). boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in 1/4" strips
• 3 cups (700 ml) fresh basil, whole leaves (packed)
• 5 green onions, cut into 1" pieces
• Cooking Sauce:
• 3/4 cup (175 ml) coconut milk, light or regular
• 3 tbsp (45 ml) soy sauce
• 3 tbsp (45 ml) rice vinegar
• 1-1/2 tbsp (20 ml) nam pla (fish sauce)
• 1/2 tsp (2 ml) to 1 tsp (5 ml) crushed dried chilies
• Serving suggestion:
• hot cooked rice

Preparation

• Soak the mushrooms in warm water for 10-15 minutes, the squeeze dry and sliver.
• Combine ingredients for cooking sauce and set aside.
• Heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil in a 12" wok or skillet.
• Stir fry onion, garlic and ginger; set aside.
• Divide chicken strips into three batches and stir fry 1/3 at a time until brown (about 3 minutes)using just enough oil.
• Remove first batch from skillet and set aside.
• Repeat with 2nd and 3rd batches, setting all chicken aside.
• Pour the cooking sauce into the pan and reduce by 1/3.
• Return chicken and onion mixture to the skillet.
• Stir in mushrooms and basil and heat through.
• Stir in green onions.
• Serve over hot cooked rice.

Comments

Editors notes:

Nam Pla, also known as fish sauce,is found in the Asian section of most grocery stores.

This recipe lends itself to modifications (like if you don't have dried shittakes). I used about 1 1/2 c. fresh sliced button mushrooms--skipping the soaking, obviously. I chopped up about 4 little dried Thai or bird-foot chiles, removing most of the seeds since that is where much of the heat is. I doubled the garlic and used 1 T. of peeled and processed fresh ginger. By processed I mean in one of those little miniature food processors--great for garlic and ginger both.

1 can of coconut milk is about 1 1/2 c. You can double the sauce recipe and freeze half for next time (once you decide if you like this recipe). It is soooo savory.