“Eat Chinese food, live in a Western house, marry a Japanese wife.” This old saying of our ancestors is indeed true. Chicken stew (Lagu Ga), a dish with a strong French culinary influence, has been introduced to Vietnam and quickly won the hearts of many generations. The richness of coconut milk, the spicy aroma of curry powder, combined with tender and fragrant chicken, creates an irresistible “addictive” flavor. So, how to learn how to cook delicious and authentic chicken stew right in your own kitchen? Don’t worry, this article is the “savior” for you!
1. Unveiling the Secrets of Authentic Chicken Stew
Chicken stew, also known as chicken curry (Lagu Ga), is a dish originating from the South of France. According to culinary expert Nguyen Thi Thu Huong in her book “Journey of World Flavors,” chicken stew was born in the 17th century, initially only for the aristocracy. Today, chicken stew has become a familiar dish in many Vietnamese families’ meals.
1.1. Fresh Ingredients – The Foundation for a Top-Notch Chicken Stew
To cook a delicious chicken stew, choosing fresh ingredients is extremely important. Here are the “bright candidates” you need to “recruit” for your chicken stew pot:
- Chicken: Prioritize choosing chicken thighs or wings, as these are meatier parts with more fat, which will make the dish richer and more flavorful when cooked.
- Potatoes: Choose firm potatoes that are not sprouted.
- Carrots: Choose Da Lat carrots, which have a bright reddish-orange color, small and fresh stems.
- Onions: Choose Vinh Chau purple onions, which have a mild sweetness and delicious aroma.
- Spices: Curry powder, turmeric powder, coconut milk, shallots, garlic, chili, salt, sugar, pepper…
1.2. The “Golden” Recipe for Delicious and Authentic Chicken Stew
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
- Wash the chicken thoroughly, chop into bite-sized pieces. Marinate the chicken with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, 1 tablespoon of curry powder, 1/2 tablespoon of turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon of minced shallots, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Mix well and let the chicken marinate for about 30 minutes.
- Peel potatoes and carrots, wash thoroughly, cut into bite-sized cubes. Peel onions, wash thoroughly, cut into wedges.
Step 2: Cooking
- Sauté minced shallots and garlic until fragrant, then add the chicken and stir-fry until browned. Next, add potatoes and carrots and stir-fry together until potatoes and carrots are slightly half-cooked.
- Pour coconut milk into the pot, bring to a boil over low heat. Season to taste.
- Add onions to the pot, cook for another 5 minutes until onions are cooked, then turn off the heat.
Step 3: Enjoy
Ladle the chicken stew into a bowl, sprinkle with a little ground pepper and chopped scallions. The dish is best enjoyed hot with white rice or bread.
2. Tips to Make Chicken Stew Even More Appealing
- To make the chicken stew richer, you can add a little unsweetened fresh milk to the pot when cooking.
- If you like spicy chicken stew, you can add fresh chili or chili paste when cooking.
- Chicken stew should be eaten while hot to fully appreciate the delicious flavor of the dish.
3. Suggestions
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Hopefully, with the useful tips above, you can confidently show off your talent in cooking delicious chicken stew to treat your whole family!