Khmer Chicken Char Kreung (ឆាគ្រឹង សាច់មាន់)

Khmer Chicken Char Kreung

Ingredients (គ្រឿងផ្សំ)

  • Chicken (សាច់មាន់) – 250g
  • Lemongrass (ស្លឹកគ្រៃ) – 3 sticks (ដំបង)
  • Holy Basil (ម្រះព្រៅ) – 200g
  • Garlic (ខ្ទឹម) x 3 cloves
  • Galangal (រំដេង) – 50g
  • Turmeric (រមៀត) – 50g
  • Eggplant (ផ្លែត្រប់) – 300g
  • Red Chilli (ម្ទេសក្រហម) – 3
  • Oyster Sauce (ងាវសមុទ្រទឹកជ្រលក់) – 1 tbsp
  • Salt (អំបិល) – pinch
  • Sugar (ស្ករ) – 2 tsp
  • Stock (ម្សៅសាច់មាន) – 1 tsp

Another Khmer classic this week with my Char Kreung (or Chaa Kroeung) recipe. This is one of the most basic of Cambodian dishes, with the all important ‘Kreung’ paste stir fried with meat and vegetables. Easy and delicious, and you can substitute the meat and vegetables for any that you like (or try without meat at all).

  1. Chop lemongrass, turmeric, galangal
  2. Grind in pestle and mortar
  3. Add garlic and continue to grind
  4. Chop eggplant & chicken
  5. Heat pan, add oil and then some kreung
  6. Add chillies
  7. Add chicken and cook until nicely browned
  8. Add the rest of the kreung and salt, sugar, stock, & oyster sauce
  9. Stir well
  10. Add eggplant and water
  11. Add holy basil and let simmer
  12. Serve hot!