Rising up on the islands meant that at any time when we received a fever mother would make us fever-grass tea. Mainly we grew up associating being sick with this bush. Quick-forward years later and being new to Canada, I used to be blown away by this exact same fever-grass. My cousin invited me to fulfill her in Toronto for lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant and issues would by no means be the identical once more. From that day on I’ve been in love with fever-grass aka Lemongrass! Lemongrass hen (grilled) on plain on steamed white rice, 30 years later and I nonetheless lovingly recall the dish.
You’ll Want…
3 lbs hen (I used drumsticks)
1 1/2 tablespoon Caribbean Green Seasoning
1 medium tomato (diced)
1 medium onion (diced)
1 habanero pepper (see notes)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt (regulate)
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 scallion (chopped high-quality)
6-8 sprigs thyme
3-5 sticks lemongrass (about 5 inches)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoon golden brown sugar
2 cups water
Notes! Use any scorching pepper you want or can supply and within the quantities you possibly can tolerate. With the lemongrass I eliminated the primary layer of ‘pores and skin’, then used the again (backbone) of my knife to smash them (defined within the video under).
Whereas I didn’t point out a lime or lemon (or 1/2 cup of vinegar) within the ingredient listing, I did use the juice of the lime to scrub the hen drumsticks after I eliminated the pores and skin off them, together with cool water. I do know not everyone seems to be snug washing hen.
Season the hen with every thing besides the water, thyme, lemon grass, scallion, parsley, oil and sugar. Give it a superb combine, then enable it to marinate for at the very least one hour.
The browning step is greatest adopted utilizing the video under as I couldn’t pause to take pics because it occurs in a short time. Warmth the oil on a medium excessive flame in a deep heavy pot, then add the brown sugar and stir (defined within the video), it should soften, go frothy after which a deep amber. That is whenever you’ll add the seasoned hen to the pot and stir to coat. Within the video I clarify why you might want to show the fan on in your kitchen and why if the sugar goes black, STOP and do NOT proceed.
Flip the warmth to medium, cowl the pot and cook dinner for 4 minutes. After-which take away the lid and burn off any liquid which can have sprouted naturally.
In the identical bowl you marinated the hen, swish round 2 cups of water to select up any remaining marinade. This water now goes into the pot to totally cook dinner the hen. Add the thyme and lemongrass. Carry to a boil, then cut back to a simmer and cook dinner with the lid barely ajar.
20-25 minutes later it’s time to personalize issues. Style and regulate the salt to your liking, make sure the gravy’s consistency is on par to the way you and your loved ones get pleasure from and take away the items of thyme and lemongrass and into the garbage. They’ve accomplished their mission.
Remember that the gravy will thicken a bit because it cools and the residual warmth within the pot can even help in doing so. Toss within the parsley and scallion and blend. Flip off the range.
An unimaginable approach so as to add a brand new taste to a basic Caribbean dish, in brown stew hen. Be happy so as to add a teaspoon of grated ginger together with a bay leaf if you need. Serve with rice, roti, bread, floor provisions on any approach you often serve saucy hen dishes. My fave.. on high of white cheddar mac and cheese.
Supply: www.caribbeanpot.com
