Braised Lemongrass Chicken - Gà Kho Sả Ớt

Gà kho sả ớt (Braised lemongrass chicken) is an authentic home-style dish that has left a deep impression on the way I think about food today. A dish that recalls childhood memories both good and bad. Mum cooked this regularly as it was simple and inexpensive to put together on busy weeknights, and comfortably fed and nourished our family of four.

Like many first generation immigrants, my mum worked long hours to make ends meet. Braised lemongrass chicken was on regular rotation and she would only cook it when she was time poor or stressed; it was a meal that required very little thought and energy expenditure. I recall a period when mum cooked this dish in large portions and numerous times a week, usually sticking with the same flavours of lemongrass, fish sauce, chilli and garlic, and occasionally substituting the protein for  duck. My father and older brother did not have much to say about this but as a child who did not know any better, I one day grew tired of this flavour combination and erupted, demanding a change to the dinner routine. Needless to say, mum was very upset.

It’s only recently, now that I‘ve moved out of home that when I look back on that heated moment with regret. At the time, I didn’t realise mum was having a hard time at work and dealing with other external stressors. Braised lemongrass chicken was her way of feeding the family a traditional Vietnamese home cooked meal and its constant rotation was her way of expressing herself at that point in time.

Lemongrass, fish sauce, garlic and chilli now feature prominently in my household. A true combination of flavours that pays homage to my childhood, and now my way of communicating to my wife that I miss my mum.Do yourself a favour,introduce your family to braised lemongrass chicken and experience together this simple combination of authentic Vietnamese flavours.