Another easy to prepare showy dinner for two.

[flamin lib]

Presentation is a bit lacking here, but I discovered if I used a mandolin to shred the cucumber and make a nest for the game hen it's much prettier.

"HAINANESE" a.k.a. SINGAPORE CHICKEN RICE


Ingredients for the chicken:

1 Cornish game hen

2-3 cloves garlic

1 inch fresh ginger

Sesame Oil

Light Soy Sauce

1 medium sized cucumber

1 qt Chicken Stock

Salt

Ingredients for the rice

1 Shallot

1 Clove Garlic

1 inch Ginger Bruised

½ cup rice

1 cup chicken stock (from cooking game hen)

1 tsp oil

1/2 teaspoon of salt


Ingredients for Soup to accompany the Chicken rice

Balance of water used to boil the chicken

½ cup shredded cabbage

1 peeled and chopped shallot

Chives or green onion tops for garnish

METHOD

Clean game hen and salt heavily inside cavity. Smash the garlic cloves and ginger root and insert them into the cavity.

In the smallest saucepan or pot that will hold the game hen bring the stock to a boil. Drop the hen into the stock and boil for 25 minutes, until done. The game hen must be completely covered with stock, if not add water to cover. An instant read thermometer will read 170 degrees inserted in the thigh. Remove the game hen and let it cool down.

While the chicken is cooling down, the rice can be prepared. Finely chop a shallot, one clove garlic and mash ½ inch of ginger root. Fry together until tender in a small sauce pan with a close fitting lid. Stirring continuously add the rice and fry until opaque. Add 1 cup stock (from the cooked hen), bring to a boil, cover and simmer over very low heat until done, about 20 minutes. Remove the ginger root before serving.

Brush the cooled game hen with sesame oil. Cut the hen into individual pieces for serving.

Make the soup by adding the chopped shallot and cabbage to the remaining cooking stock. Season to taste with salt. Boil gently for 15 minutes.

To serve, julienne the cucumber to make a bed for the game hen. Nest the game hen pieces on the cucumber and serve the rice and soup separately garnished with the chives or green onion tops.

Serve with light soy sauce for dipping or add your favorite dipping sauce.

[hippywife]

1. I think the presentation is

just beautiful! :hi:

[shireen]

2. that is one of my favorite dishes!!!

I love it! You can also do it with chicken pieces. I usually use thighs and legs. Also goes good with a dab of Sambal Oelek (chili sauce with a bit of vinegar).

It's extremely popular in Singapore and Malaysia, where this dish is served in outdoor food courts by food hawkers.

The chicken and rice is served just as pictured, with cucumber, soy sauce, and chili sauce, except the OP's presentation is much more classy!

This is how it's served at the typical food hawker's stand:

(from http://www.thefoodpornographer.com/?p=98)

Photos of food hawker stores in Singapore
http://www.goodfood.sg/chicken_rice

Penang, Malaysia, food stores:
http://madeinpenang.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html

Mmmm ... think i'll go defrost that chicken in the freezer.... :)

[flamin lib]

3. I have a friend who lived in Singapore for a number of years

and he was the inspiration for the dish. That is a combo of two or three recipes I found on the net.

My mandolin makes a very fine julliane cut and the cucumber looks like fine straw when it's piled on the plate.

I'm collecting recipes for a short cookbook for beginners. All my cooking is done for two these days - I don't like leftovers - so they have to be easily scalable. Other requirements are: no exotic ingredients (must all be available at the local mega mart), ease of preparation, make ahead possibilities and showy for presentation.

Any suggestions are welcome.

[htuttle]

6. THAT is what the food hawkers sell in Singapore?

Ha! I've been in the cab business for 20 years this year, and as a frequent customer of American food hawkers, I can tell you -- that dish DEFINITELY beats an old hotdog wrapped in aluminum foil!

:envious of singapore cab drivers:
(do we have a smiley for that?)

[shireen]

7. it's just one of many amazing food choices

The best food is usually found at street food hawkers and food hawkers in open-air food courts.

Here's a sampler. :)
http://bp3.blogger.com/_II8xB8Ke_u4/RwDyuB4V8dI/AAAAAAAAECU/Xl3u18cc5QA/s400/Hawker+Food+Montage.jpg
(from http://ieatishootipost.blogspot.com/2007/10/what-is-your-favourite-hawker-food.html)

[pipoman]

4. Nicely presented and a great pic flamin'...however

no surprise, I would expect a great pic from a great photog.

[flamin lib]

5. You are too kind. I'll have to post my "studio" setup on the

Photography group.