chicken sale'

we made a chicken sale a few days back. this is a native dish from pampanga usually prepared during the rainy weather. It uses a native herb sale'. this is looks like a long green grass but with a flavor similar to fresh ginger and a hint of vanilla.

Sale' is the native variety of lemon grass.

chicken sale'

1/4 kilo chicken, cut into serving pieces.
two generous stalks sale'
1 tablespoon crushed garlic
1 medium onion
cooking oil
salt, fish sauce and pepper

smash the sale with the back of the knife to awaken the flavor and juices. in a hot pan, saute the sale' for about 2 minutes until the flavors are released. remove the sale' from the pan and set aside.

in the same pan using the same oil, saute garlic and onions. add the chicken. add about 1 liter water. put back the sale into the stock. simmer till the chicken is tender. remove the sale again and discard.

add the green papaya and simmer for about 15 minutes till the papaya is translucent and soft. add fish sauce or patis to add saltiness. adjust salt and pepper to taste.

serve piping hot.