Admittedly it's not the easiest task, pairing a fine wine with a fine Asian-inspired meal. But celebrity chef Ming Tsia joined Tonia's Kitchen with some thoughts on the matter. Ming told Tonia he's making Lemongrass Chicken Fried Rice these days, and that's a very spicy dish. To counter that, Ming says pair it with a Riesling or other mildly sweet wine. He says the small amount of sugar will tamp down on the spice of the Lemongrass and give a much finer flavor.- 8 Ounces rice sticks
- 1 Pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs and other meat, cut into 1/3-inch-thick strips
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 4 lemongrass stalks, white parts only, minced
- 1 large red onion, sliced thinly
- 1 jalapeño, cut into thin rings
- 3 large eggs, beaten lightly
- 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices*
- 2 Tablespoons fish sauce
- Zest and juice of 2 lemons
Place the noodles in a medium-sized bowl and fill it with hot water to cover. Soak until pliable but not completely soft, 10-15 minutes.** Drain and set aside.
Season the chicken with salt and black pepper, to taste. Heat a wok over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil and swirl to coat the pan. When the oil is hot, add the chicken and stir-fry until brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
Return the wok to medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil and swirl to coat. When the oil is hot, add the lemongrass, onion, and jalapeño. Stir-fry until the onion is soft, about 1 minute. Push the mixture to one side of the wok, drizzle in the remaining oil, and add the eggs. Stir-fry, breaking up the eggs, until cooked through, about 30 seconds. When the eggs are set, stir to incorporate the onion mixture.
Return the chicken to the pan, add the bell pepper, and stir. Add the fish sauce, lemon zest and juice, and noodles. Stir and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper, to taste, transfer to a serving platter or plates, and serve.
