Introduction
Although my mother used a rice cooker for this dish — as I do now — it can also be made in a large pot on the stovetop. When the rice comes to a slight boil, add the chicken mixture, turn down the heat and cover. Cook until the rice is fluffy and the water has been absorbed.
Ingredients
| 2 | Tbsp. cornstarch |
| 2 | Tbsp. oyster sauce |
| 1 | Tbsp. rice wine |
| 1 | Tbsp. sugar |
| 1 | Tbsp. light soy sauce |
| 1 | Tbsp. garlic salt |
| 1 | Tbsp. sesame oil |
| ~ | Pinch of white pepper |
| 1 | chicken (a 3-pound bird, chopped into bite-sized pieces) or 5½ lbs. boneless chicken meat |
| 2 | slices ginger, peeled |
| 2 | cloves garlic, peeled |
| 3 | Chinese sausages, sliced diagonally into bite-sized pieces |
| 6 | large dried shiitake mushrooms, re-hydrated, drained, and sliced |
| 3 | cups medium- or long-grain rice |
| ~ | Pinch of salt |
Steps
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, oyster sauce, rice wine, sugar, soy sauce, garlic salt, sesame oil, and white pepper.
- Add the chicken, tossing to coat. Marinate at least 15 minutes.
- Heat a wok or deep-frying pan over high heat. Add the ginger slices and garlic cloves and stir-fry briefly to season the wok. Remove.
- Stir-fry the chicken, sausage, and mushrooms briefly; the mixture should be just partially cooked. Set aside.
- Rinse the rice and place in a rice cooker. Add about 6 cups of water, or as indicated by the electric cooker. Season the rice with a pinch of salt.
- When the rice comes to a slight boil, add the chicken mixture into the cooker. Continue to cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until rice is done.
Notes
For the Chinese sausage, I like to use the Kam Yen Jan brand. It comes in vacuum-packed 16-ounce packages; it’s available at Asian markets and, occasionally, at supermarkets, shelved alongside the tofu.
Read more in Christina Eng’s essay about chicken and rice.