Pandan Leaves
 Also
known as pandanus leaf, it is a kind of herb with long green aromatic
leaves which are popularly used in the Southeast Asian cooking, lending a
unique taste and distinct aroma to curry, rice, cakes and many Thai
cuisines. They are known in Indonesia and Malaysia as daun pandan. Fresh
leaves are usually torn into strips, tied into a knot before placing into
the cooking liquid to perfume it. At the end of the cooking, it will be
removed.
Pandan can also be used as a natural
replacement for food-coloring, imbuing desserts with bright shade of
green. It can also be found as a ready-to-use paste in most Asian
specialty stores. In Thailand, pieces of marinated chicken are wrapped in
a clever wrapping of the pandan leaf and grilled or deep-fried to the
extend that the subtle flavor of the leaf is being imparted to the chicken
Thai Pandan Chicken
Recipe
Ingredients:
600 g diced chicken meat
5 cups oil for deep-frying
40-50 pcs big pandan leaves, washed
Seasoning:
60 g shallots, chopped
30 g garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon lemongrass (white part only), chopped
1 tablespoon coriander roots, chopped
1 teaspoon peppercorns, pounded
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fish gravy
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon black soy sauce
Method:
Marinate diced chicken meat with seasoning
for 2-3 hours. Wrap up chicken meat neatly with pandan leaves (refer
below). Heat up the oil for deep-frying, deep-fry the chicken till golden
brown. Dish and drain. Serve hot and let the guests unwrap them and enjoy
the aroma and flavor.
Note: Pandan chicken can also be wrapped and
keep in the fridge. Deep-fry in hot oil before serving. It can also be
baked for more healthy way of cooking.
   
Happy Cooking,
Carol |
