How Do I Make Kao Man Gai?

Thai street market

If you have been to Thailand, you likely have eaten Kao Man Gai. Many Thai streets are lined with food carts emitting tantalizing scents of sumptuous soups, spicy meats and fried bananas. Kao Man Gai is a chicken and rice dish commonly served at Thai street stalls. "Kao" is the Thai word for rice, and "Gai" means chicken. With a bit of considered shopping and preparation, you can create this casual and delicious Thai cart meal in your own home.

Things You'll Need

• Medium size saucepan
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 large cucumbers, peeled and finely chopped
• 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 tbsp. chopped Thai red chili peppers
• 1/4 cup loosely chopped fresh cilantro
• Large pot with fitted lid
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. roughly chopped fresh ginger
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts, or mix breasts and thighs, sliced into inch-wide strips
• 1 tbsp. curry powder
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 1/2 cups rinsed jasmine rice
• 1 tbsp. miso paste
• 3 tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cardamom pods
• 1 cinnamon stick

Instructions

1. Bring vinegar and honey to a boil in saucepan. Continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring often until the honey mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and let cool.

2. 

   Hot Thai chili peppers

   Add cucumber, cilantro and chili, adjusting the chili to how hot you want the cucumber relish to be. Stir well and set aside.

3. Warm coconut milk in a large pot. Add the garlic, ginger and shallot, and continue to cook over medium heat for a few minutes.

4. Add chicken to the pot and cook at a slightly higher heat. Mix in curry and turmeric powders, stirring to coat the chicken.

5. Add rice, miso paste and soy sauce. Pour in water and stir well. Insert bay leaf, cardamom pods and cinnamon stick, then cover and bring to a gentle boil.

6. Reduce heat and simmer for approximately half an hour, until the rice is tender and chicken is cooked, adding water if necessary. Remove the pot from the burner and leave covered for 10 minutes. Discard the cardamom, bay leaf and cinnamon stick and gently fluff the rice and chicken mixture.

7. Serve the rice and chicken dish warm with a side of cucumber relish for dipping.

Tips & Warnings

• Thai ingredients such as miso paste can be found in Asian markets or in grocery stores with international food aisles.

• Although it is best to have a cinnamon stick in recipes that call for it, 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon spice will do in a pinch.

• Don't be confused if you are comparing Kao Man Gai recipes and come across the spelling Khao Man Gai. The English spelling of the Thai word for rice, pronounced COW, varies.

References

• Epicurious: Thai Rice Curry with Herbed Chicken (Khao Mok Gai)
• She Simmers: How to Make Khao Man Gai
• thai-language.com: Dictionary

Resources

• Food Carts Portland: Nong's Khao Man Gai
• Lonely Planet: Introducing Thailand