THAI NOODLES AND CHICKEN RECIPES

Steps:

• Ingredients out • Kettle boiled • Griddle pan, high heat • Large lidded pan, high heat • Food processor (coarse grater & bowl blade) START COOKING On a large sheet of greaseproof paper, toss the chicken with sea salt, black pepper and the five-spice. Fold over the paper, then bash and flatten the chicken to 1.5cm thick with a rolling pin. Place on the hot griddle pan, turning after 3 or 4 minutes, until nicely charred and cooked through. Pour about 800ml of boiling water into the large pan and crumble in the stock cube. Trim the stalk off the squash, roughly chop the neck end (don't peel, and keep the seed end for another day), then grate and tip into the boiling stock. Peel the garlic and ginger. Swap to the bowl blade in the processor and add the garlic, ginger, chilli, turmeric, trimmed spring onions, peanut butter, lime leaves, coriander stalks (reserving the leaves), sesame oil, soy and fish sauces. Blitz to a paste, then tip into the stock and add the noodles. Trim the asparagus and cut in half. Add to the pan, pour in the coconut milk, and as soon as it boils, taste, correct the seasoning with soy sauce and lime juice, then turn the heat off. Drizzle the honey over the charred chicken, squeeze over the juice of 1 lime, scatter with the sesame seeds and toss to coat. Serve with the laksa and lime wedges, sprinkling everything with the coriander leaves and slices of fresh chilli.

Steps:

• Combine chiles and vinegar in a glass jar, cover tightly, and chill at least 2 day before using. Do ahead: Chiles can be pickled 2 months ahead. Keep chilled.
• Toast chiles in a dry small skillet over low heat until brittle and slightly darker in color but not browned and blistered, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool. Grind in spice mill or with mortar and pestle to the consistency of coarse cornmeal. Do ahead: Chiles can be ground 6 months ahead. Store airtight in a cool, dry place.
• If using dried rice noodles, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and stir to separate and prevent sticking, then remove pot from heat. Let noodles sit until cooked through and no hard center remains, 8–10 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water until cool. Drain well again; set aside.
• Trim about 1" off bottom of each broccoli stem. Remove stalks from tops and slice on a diagonal ¼" thick; set aside. If using chinese broccoli, cut tops into 2" pieces. If using broccoli, cut into 2" florets. Set aside, keeping separate from stalks.
• Heat oil in a wok or a large nonstick skillet over high until shimmering. Crack eggs into pan; add garlic and cook, stirring, until eggs are almost set. Add broccoli stalks and chicken and cook, tossing often, until chicken is cooked through, about 2 minutes.
• Add dark sweet soy sauce, thin soy sauce, vinegar, soy bean paste, ½ tsp. sugar, reserved noodles, and reserved broccoli florets, if using regular broccoli, and cook, stirring, until noodles absorb some of the sauce and are softened, about 1 minute. Continue to cook, undisturbed, until underside starts to brown and more sauce has been absorbed, about 1 minute. Turn noodles over and cook, undisturbed, until underside is browned, about 2 minutes. Add Chinese broccoli, if using, and cook, tossing, until bright green, about 2 minutes.
• Divide noodles among plates and season with white pepper. Serve with fish sauce, pickled chiles, chile powder, and more sugar alongside for topping as desired.