Garlic & Pepper Chicken (Gai Pad Gratiem): ไก่ผัดกระเทียม
Garlic and Pepper is a beloved dish that showcases the bold flavors of garlic and pepper, making it a popular choice among many. This versatile recipe allows for the use of any protein—be it pork, beef, shrimp, or squid—and can easily be adapted for vegetarians by substituting tofu. It's a quick and easy dish, perfect for a satisfying one-dish meal over rice or as part of a shared family-style feast.
Ingredients:
1 chicken breast, sliced into thin bite-sized pieces (approximately ¾ cup)
¼ cup garlic cloves, smashed
¾ tsp palm sugar (or regular sugar)
¾ tsp white pepper powder or black pepper powder (or a mix)
1¾ tsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
Oil (enough to coat the bottom of the pan)
2-3 tbsp water (as needed)
1 tsp coriander leaves (for garnish)
Directions:
Prepare Ingredients: Rinse the chicken breast and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Smash the garlic cloves and chop them to your preferred size.
Sauté Garlic: Heat oil in a pan until hot. Add the smashed garlic, stirring continuously to prevent burning. Once the garlic turns a nice yellow or golden color, remove it from the pan and set it aside.
Cook Chicken: In the same oil used for the garlic, add the chicken (or your chosen protein) once it is very lightly browned. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked through. If the mixture becomes dry and sticky, add water to the pan, one to two tablespoons at a time.
Season: Add the palm sugar, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and pepper to the cooked chicken. You may need to add a bit more water to help the ingredients mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Stir in some coriander leaves and the cooked garlic.
Serve: Mix everything well and serve over rice for a complete meal or on a plate for sharing with friends. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves for a lovely touch.
Note:
For a vegetarian version, pre-fry the tofu until browned, remove it from the pan, and then start with step 2. Substitute oyster sauce with mushroom vegetarian sauce to maintain flavor while keeping it plant-based.
Enjoy this simple yet flavorful dish!