Ga Xao Xa Ot or Chicken in lemon grass and chilli

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

FYI: Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) or Xa originates from India. It is the most common ingredient used in Thai and Vietnamese cooking. Thai (takrai), Malay (serai), Indian (bhustrina, sera)

• 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
• Stir until sugar is dissolved
• Remove from heat and store in a jar in the refrigerator.