Ga Xao Sa

(Vietnamese lemongrass chicken)

Ga xao sa, or lemongrass chicken, is one of the better known Vietnamese dishes, often on the menu of Vietnamese restaurants. It is a wonderfully light, refreshing and easy chicken recipe, with all of the bright flavors of that Southeast Asian nation.

4-6 servings

Chicken breast or thighs, boneless, skinless and cubed -- 1 pound
Lemongrass, white tender part only, minced -- 3-4 stalks
Cornstarch -- 2 teaspoon
Sugar -- 1 teaspoon
Pepper -- 1 teaspoon
Fish sauce -- 2 tablespoons
Peanut, sesame or vegetable oil -- 4 tablespoons
Shallots or scallions, minced -- 2 tablespoons
Garlic, minced -- 2 cloves
Red bell pepper, chopped -- 1
Water -- 1/4 cup
Brown sugar or caramelized sugar syrup -- 1 tablespoon

Method

In a large bowl, mix the cubed chicken with the lemongrass, cornstarch, sugar, pepper, 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce and 1 tablespoon of the oil. Set aside to marinate for at least 1 hour or for up to 8 hours.
Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil in wok or large Dutch oven over medium-high flame. Add the scallions or shallots and garlic and stir fry for about 30 seconds.
Add the chopped bell pepper and continue to stir fry until it is thoroughly heated and beginning to wilt, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add the chicken and its marinade and continue to stir fry until the chicken is just cooked through, another 3 to 4 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the water, remaining fish sauce and brown sugar or caramel syrup. Simmer for another 1 to 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve with steamed rice.

Variations

Ga Xao Sa Ot (Lemongrass chicken with peanuts): Sprinkle roasted, unsalted peanuts over the top of the finished dish.
Bo Xao Sa (Lemongrass beef): substitute thinly sliced beef for the chicken.
For a creamy curry variation of this dish, add 1-2 teaspoons of curry powder to the scallions and garlic when you stir fry them. Substitute coconut milk for the water at the end of the recipe.
Try making the dish with shrimp. They will only need to marinate 30 minutes or so.