This one-pot rice meal has a smoky exotic aroma, best baked with a sweet Chinese sausage called Lap Cheong. The crispy part of the rice at the bottom of the clay pot is savored. Clay Pot Rice can now be found with a variety of meats or seafood, from beef to ostrich. Many restaurants also have clay pot 'dishes' on their menus - Clay pot Mee [noodles],
Clay pot Tofu [soy bean cake], Clay pot Fish, Clay pot Soup etc. Food cooked in clay pots are not only flavorful, but retain the most nutrition as well.
INGREDIENTS :
- 3 boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size
- 1 Lap Cheong [Chinese sausage], cut into thick slices diagonally [Substitute: sweet sausage, or 1 additional boneless chicken thigh]
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- ½ tbsp sugar
- ½ sesame oil
- ½ cornstarch
- ½ cup scallions, sliced and 2 extra stalks for garnish, chopped
- 3 cups long grain rice, washed until water is clear then drained
- 6-7 cups chicken stock1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp peanut oil
- salt and pepper
Cook's Note : Traditionally, Clay Pot Rice is a one pot rice meal as in this recipe; rice is baked with simple and economical ingredients. The crispy part of the rice at the bottom of the clay pot is what is savored most. Clay Pot Rice is nowadays made with a variety of meats and seafood; more exotic ingredients are used - from ostrich & venison to sea cucumber & lobster..........
To Prepare :
1. In a bowl combine chicken and lap cheong with dark soy sauce, ginger, sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch and scallions
2. Marinate refrigerated for at least 30 mins
3. In a clay pot [no preheating] add peanut oil, rice and salt - gradually bring to high heat, sauté the rice until the rice becomes quite translucent
4. Add chicken stock, up to 1½ inch above the level of the rice and season with salt and pepper
5. Gradually bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer until the stock has evaporated to the rice level [tiny 'holes' form on rice]
6. Add the marinated chicken and sausage, stir well into the rice, cover the clay pot
7. Carefully transfer the covered [and hot!] clay pot into a preheated 350F degree oven
8. Bake for 12-15 min
9. Carefully open the cover of the clay pot, give it a good stir, cover again, turn heat to high [500F degrees] bake for only 1 min
10. Immediately reduce heat to very low [180F degrees] and cook for an additional 10 min
11. Turn heat off, carefully remove from oven and let it rest for 5 min
12. Garnish with chopped scallions, and if preferred, serve with a side of hot chili sauce!
FYI : Many restaurants feature clay pot 'dishes' on their menus - Claypot Mee [noodles], Claypot Tofu [soy bean cake], Claypot Fish, Claypot Soup. Clay-pot dishes are the Oriental version of the American casserole. The main difference is that they are cooked on top of the stove rather than in the oven. Food cooked in a clay pot has maximum flavor, enormous nutritional value and is visually appetizing - the dish can go straight from the oven to the dinner table. The design of the clay-pot assures good retention of heat and keeps food hot much longer.
