Vietnam - Chicken in Lemon Grass and Chili (Ga Xao Xa Ot)

Chicken in Lemon Grass and Chili 

(Ga Xao Xa Ot)

Ingredients

-       3 lb chicken

-       1 large onion

-       Salt to taste

-       1 tbs ground chillies

-       1 tbs granulated sugar

-       1 cup water

-       4 garlic cloves

-       3 tbs vegetable oil

-       2 tbs minched lemon grass

-       4 tbs Nuoc Mam (Vietnamese fish sauce)

-       1 tbs caramel sauce

Directions

-       Rinse chicken and dry well.

-       Cut into small pieces .

-       Peel garlic and slice finely .

-       Cut onion into halves lengthwise and then cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch strips.

-       Heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat.

-       Add a pinch of salt, garlic and onion.

-       Fry over medium heat until onion becomes translucent.

-       Add lemon grass and chili.

-       Fry 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.

-       Add chicken and cook until lightly browned.

-       Add fish sauce, sugar and caramel sauce, mixing well .

-       Add 1 cup water and cook 45 minutes or until chicken is tender .

-       Stir occasionally and add more water if necessary.

-       Serve hot with caramel sauce .

To prepare caramel sauce:

-       Mix 1/2 c sugar with 4 tablespoons of water in heavy saucepan.

-       Bring to a boil over medium heat and let boil until mixture changes colour.

-       Turn heat down to low and heat until brown.

-       Add 1/2 cup water to mixture.

-       Remove from heat and store in a jar in the refrigerator.