Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
5 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons black peppercorns
2 tablespoons fresh coriander root, chopped
½ teaspoon sea salt
3 single free-range or organic chicken breasts, skinless, boneless
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce
½ cup chicken stock
Gai larn
2 bunches gai larn or choy sum
1 tablespoon peanut oil
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons cornflour
½ cup chicken stock
To serve
chilli sauce to serve e.g. Sriracha
hot, cooked rice
METHOD
Gai larn: Pull the greens into individual stems. Blanch for 1 minute in boiling salted water, drain, refresh in cold water then drain again. Dry thoroughly on kitchen towels.
Heat a wok over high heat, add the oil and stir-fry the ginger and garlic for a few seconds. Add the greens and toss until hot. Stir a little stock into the cornflour to make a smooth paste. Combine with the remaining ingredients and tip into the wok. Stir until the sauce has thickened and the gai larn is well coated in the sauce. Tip into a serving bowl.
Chicken: Pound the garlic, peppercorns, coriander root and salt in a mortar and pestle to a thick paste. Cut the chicken into bite- sized portions.
Heat the oil in a wok and fry the paste until fragrant. Don’t let it catch and burn. Add the chicken pieces and stir until they have lost their raw, pink look. Add the sugar, fish sauce and stock and stir to combine. Cover and simmer until thoroughly cooked.
To serve: Spoon the rice into individual bowls and top with the chicken and pepper sauce. Serve with the gai larn and chilli sauce for dipping.
Pantry Note: Gai Larn (Chinese broccoli) has dark green leaves, stout stems, and small white flowers. It is available at Asian green grocers and most supermarkets.
Keep up to date with
dish weekly recipes,
food news, and events.
Related Content
latest issue:
Issue 128
This winter issue of dish is about comfort and connection. Celebrating the best of New Zealand and Australian produce, it brings together recipes from some of our most-loved chefs, including Moroccan Chicken Soup, Mint-glazed Roasted Leg of Lamb, Slow Cooker Braised Red Wine and Miso White Chocolate Cheesecake. Find plenty to carry you through the colder months, from flaky sausage rolls and mushroom pie, to soul-soothing pasta, nostalgic baking, weekend market inspiration and dinner party menus. There’s a spotlight on the Outstanding Food Producer Awards, recipes from Caroline Griffiths’ Midnight Spaghetti, and a deep dive into the difference between Kiwi syrah and Aussie shiraz.