I feel like chicken tonight!
Howdy dames! We’re back online (fingers crossed) after last week’s ‘omnishambles’.
Given the amount of colds and flus and COVID going around at the moment, I thought I would share another super-duper restorative stock recipe, this time using chicken and then making my take on Hainanese chicken rice – I reckon it’s better than shop bought… Try it for yourself and let me know.
If you missed last week’s recipe, this is the link.
This recipe is also a two parter but well worth the effort. If you don’t feel like making your own chicken stock, ensure you buy a good quality one.
I love having my freezer loaded with stock (or broth…if I was a hipster) as it adds so much depth to recipes and is great to have on hand to drink at dinner when I’m fasting.
Enjoy!
1. Aromatic chicken broth *
Stock is so forgiving. You can add just about anything to them and they’ll taste pretty fine. One key thing is to add abut 1/4 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to the water when you start out.
Ingredients:
- 1 chicken frame (I have started buying whole chickens and breaking them down – thanks Masterchef!). If you don’t want to do that, you can generally buy them from your butcher or save the carcass from a roast chook.
- Carrot
- Celery
Your choice of aromatics.
- Galangal
- Ginger
- Lemon Grass
- Turmeric (whole – not powdered)
- Limes – halved
- Coriander root (I never seem to use all the coriander when I buy it, so I’ve taken to putting it in the freezer, ready for a stock)
- Kaffir lime leaves
- Dried chilli
- Himalayan sea salt
- Whole black pepper
You will be able to get most of these things from an Asian supermarket. Buy enough to put in the freezer for use at a later date.
Method:
Cover with filtered water and let percolate (I use a simmer mat) for as long as you can. Ideally for a minimum of four hours (up to 24 hours – time is the difference between a stock and broth).
Strain through a muslin cloth and portion off your stock into containers to go in the freezer.
This broth can be enjoyed on its own or added to soups and stews.
* I’m not great with measurements as I tend to ‘make it up’ as I go along (bit like life really!).
2. Marnie's take on Hainanese Chicken Rice
Whilst I won’t be winning any awards for food photography, this is delicious…
Ingredients:
Serves two
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 cups of your aromatic chicken stock enough to cover breasts (chicken that is…)
- Thumb size piece of ginger, grated.
- 2 garlic cloves, smooshed (omit if doing low FODMAPs)
- 1/2 cup Basmati rice (it’s low GI) rinsed well
- 1/2 – 1 cucumber
- 2 tablespoons of white vinegar (optional)
- 1/2 red chilli (optional)
- 2 spring onions
- Sesame oil
- Chilli paste (I always have one in the fridge from one of the ladies of the CWA)
- Coriander (optional – omit if if tastes like soap to you).
Method:
Put half the grated ginger, garlic, stock and chicken into a pot.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for about 20 – 30 minutes (until chicken is just cooked through).
Take one cup of hot stock and add rice to a small pot. Bring to the boil, put the lid on the pot and reduce heat and let simmer until water is gone.
Turn off and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Accoutrements:
Whilst the chicken is cooking make your side dishes.
Combine ginger, finely chopped spring onion and sesame oil together (you can use a mortar and pestle or blitz them to a paste if you like).
Cut your cucumber lengthwise. You can either leave it like this or add the vinegar, some coriander and chilli to it to make a quick pickle.
Your choice of chilli paste.
To serve:
Put the chicken and rice on the plate.
Add the green ginger sauce, cucumber and chilli.
Put the leftover chicken broth in a bowl and sip alongside this nourishing meal.
Yum!
If you’ve been struggling post COVID or have noticed your immune system is not quite right, there’s lots we can do to help you recover. Please reach out if you’re struggling so we can make a plan to help you get your mojo back.
Until next time, keep being great.
Marnie
P.S If you haven’t already done so, make sure you download your FREE Survivor’s Guide to Menopause (did I say it’s free?).
P.P.S If you know someone who is struggling with all the changes, please share this with them.
