Thanh Chuong's specialty free-range chicken

(Baonghean.vn) -Thanh Chuong has many specialties, in addition to those that many people already know such as: fermented bamboo shoots, goat meat from Cau Gang, steamed rice cakes from Cho Dung market, steamed rice cakes from Cho Ro market, fish from Giang River, bamboo shoots from Cho Con market, Thanh Mai tea, etc., there are also free-range chicken, free-range pork, etc.

They are called "hill chickens" because Thanh Chuong district (Nghe An province) has many hills and mountains, and the people have a habit of raising free-range chickens, which dig for insects during the day and fly up into trees to sleep at night.

Previously, some called it "ri chicken," but for the people of Thanh Chuong, "ri chicken" refers to wild chickens living in the mountains and forests, not owned by anyone. They still exist now, but are very rare. "Hill chicken," on the other hand, is free-range chicken, managed and owned by families. It belongs to the grass-fed chicken breed, is prolific, easy to raise, and weighs an average of 1.2 to 1.5 kg. Its meat is fragrant and fatty. Skilled cooks can prepare it in dozens of dishes: salt-roasted chicken, lemongrass-roasted chicken, chicken stew, boiled chicken, shredded chicken, roasted chicken, chicken wrapped in lotus leaves and grilled, chicken braised with lemongrass, chicken braised with ginger, chicken stewed with medicinal herbs, chicken stir-fried with lemongrass and chili… and after enjoying chicken dishes with wine, as the elders used to say: "Heaven and earth are fragrant with flowers, people enjoy chicken and wine," and then having a bowl of chicken porridge is simply perfect; you can fast all day and still feel healthy. No matter how it's prepared, even without spices, whenever someone cooks chicken, the whole neighborhood knows because of its distinctive, intoxicating aroma.

There are many recipes, and the seasonings must be adjusted according to each dish, as well as depending on individual taste. Besides boiled chicken, stir-fried chicken and chicken braised with ginger are common, easy-to-make, delicious, and easy-to-eat dishes, especially during Tet (Vietnamese New Year), when you're feeling a bit unwell and find everything else unappetizing.

Here are the instructions for preparing those two dishes:

Stir-fried chicken: Choose a young chicken weighing 1.2 to 1.5 kg, with soft, smooth feathers, small pores, and golden-yellow skin (if the feathers are not smooth and the legs are rough, the chicken is old). Clean the chicken, remove the innards, wash thoroughly, and chop into bite-sized pieces. Season with a little fish sauce (some people use salt), pepper, and a little sugar, then stir and marinate for about 30 minutes. Heat a pan with oil and shallots until fragrant. Add the marinated chicken and stir well. Cover and cook for about 30 minutes until the meat is golden brown. If it's bland, add a little salt and some boiling water. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, sprinkle with finely chopped lime leaves, and serve hot. This dish is very suitable for people with poor appetite, those with weakened bodies, and women after childbirth.

Chicken stew with ginger and lemongrass: The method for selecting chicken is the same as above. After chopping it into bite-sized pieces, add crushed ginger and lemongrass, season to taste with chili peppers, a few tablespoons of fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and half a cup of white wine to tenderize the meat. Stir well, cover tightly, and marinate for about 30 minutes to absorb the flavors. Then, cook on the stove for about 30 minutes (please note, do not open the lid during cooking). Finally, remove from the heat and serve with hot rice. This dish is very suitable for many people, especially those recovering from illness. The aroma of the meat and the spiciness of the spices will give you an incredibly delicious feeling. Eating it will warm your body, make you sweat, and with rice, you'll feel full but never tired of it.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, we would like to introduce a few easy-to-make local specialties for you to treat your guests.

Quang Dao