Author Notes
This fragrant recipe almost created itself. I was boiling together chicken and rice with slices of onion and ginger when my eyes fell on fresh lemongrass lying in the fridge. The rest of the rice just seemed to follow. One might use jasmine rice for a recipe that uses lemongrass, but for this, I wanted to do away with the floral hint, and chose basmati instead. 'Basmati' in sanskrit means "the fragrant one", and its earthy, exotic notes shared space beautifully with the lemongrass.
The fritters add a crunchy texture to the smooth milkyness of the rice. These fritters are made with fresh, green coriander - a crunchy little treat that I used to love as a child, and still do. —Pia
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Ingredients
- Milky chicken & lemongrass rice
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1 cup
Basmati rice
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2 fillets
chicken breast, cut into generous cubes
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1 stalk
lemongrass
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1
white onion, chopped
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2 inch
ginger, cut in long strips
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1/2 cup
coconut milk
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2 tablespoons
thai fish sauce
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2 cups
water
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Salt to taste (remember the fish sauce is salty too)
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Chopped red chillies, as garnish
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A few sprigs of coriander, as garnish
- Green coriander fritters
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2 cups
fresh coriander, coarsely chopped
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1 teaspoon
chopped ginger
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4-5 tablespoons
flour
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2 pinches
black pepper
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Salt to taste
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Oil for frying
Directions
- Milky chicken & lemongrass rice
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Put all the ingredients, except the chillies and coriander, in a large pot or pan that you can cover.
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Bring to the boil, then lower heat and put the lid on. Let it simmer for 15 minutes. (This dish cooks itself without any oil.)
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After 15 minutes, take the lid off and give it all a good stir. Put in another 1/2 cup water. Stir and simmer (almost like a risotto) for a few minutes till the rice looks creamy and the chicken is cooked.
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Serve, garnished with a few pieces of chopped red chillies and a sprig of fresh coriander.
- Green coriander fritters
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Mix all the ingredients together with your fingers.
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Now, add water, a little at a time, till it forms a thick, coarse, leafy batter.
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Heat oil in a pan.
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Pick up some of the mix between your fingers, flatten it into a small round and slip it into hot oil. Deep fry till golden brown and drain on kitchen towel.
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