Indonesian braised chicken in sweet soy sauce with Tenderstem coconut rice

This Indonesian braised chicken in sweet soy sauce with Tenderstem coconut rice is an easy-to-make, mild and sweet curry perfect for a night in. The braised chicken tastes really great the day after it is made as the flavours mature, so make it ahead of time if you prefer; just reheat in the oven until piping hot.

Ingredients (serves 4)

For the chicken:

1 tbsp vegetable oil

4 chicken legs or 8 chicken thighs (abut 900g)

4 shallots, peeled and quartered

3 to 4 cloves garlic, chopped

2cm-piece root ginger, finely grated

250ml chicken stock

5 tbsp dark soy sauce

2 tbsp runny honey

1 lemongrass stalk, cut in half

240g Tenderstem cut into bite-sized pieces

For the rice:

350g basmati rice

400ml tin of coconut milk

300ml water

1 lemongrass stalk, cut in half and bruised

1 tsp ground turmeric

To serve:

A small bunch of coriander, chopped

2 to 3 medium hot red chillies, finely chopped

Method

Add the vegetable oil to a large deep frying pan and set over a high heat. Fry the chicken pieces on both sides until well browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat a little and stir in the shallots, garlic and ginger. Pour over the chicken stock, soy sauce and honey and stir well. Tuck in the lemongrass, bring up to the boil, then reduce the heat to as low as possible and cover with a tight-fitting lid or well-pressed-down piece of foil. Cook for 45 minutes, then turn the chicken pieces over and cook for a further 45 minutes.  Halfway through braising the chicken, once you have turned it over, start the rice. Put all the ingredients in a heavy-based saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Stir well and set aside to soak for 30 minutes. Then set over a medium heat, bring up to the boil, stir once, recover and simmer for just one minute. Turn off the heat, do not remove or open the lid, and leave for 12 minutes after which time the rice should have absorbed all the liquid. Fluff up with a fork and discard the lemongrass. Blanch the Tenderstem in boiling water for three minutes until tender but with plenty of bite. Drain and lightly fold through the rice. Serve the chicken on top of the rice and pass the coriander and red chilli around separately for people to help themselves.

Recipe courtesy of Tenderstem