Tinola Ginger Chicken Rice Bowl with Green Papaya Pickle

Method

1. Peel the papaya and cut it into fine matchsticks. Toss it in a bowl with the vinegar, sugar and half the salt and leave it for 15 min. Get the rice and chicken going meanwhile.

   Add in this stepGreen papaya or chayote 120 gCane vinegar (or rice vinegar) 2 tbspSugar 2 tspSalt ½ pinch

2. Rinse the rice 2 or 3 times until the water runs clear and drain. Put the rice, stock and the thinly sliced ginger (about 40% of it) in a 16 cm pot. Bring to the boil over high heat, cover, turn down to low heat and cook for 13 min. Turn off the heat and let it steam, still covered, for 10 minutes.

   Add in this stepJasmine rice 160 gChicken stock 210 mlFresh ginger 10 g

   high heat→low heat

3. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with the rest of the salt. Spread the oil thinly in a 24 cm frying pan, lay the chicken skin side down and cook over medium heat for 9 min. Leave it alone: the fat renders out and the skin turns crisp and deep golden.

   Add in this stepBoneless chicken thighs, skin on 300 gSalt ½ pinchVegetable oil 1 tsp

   medium heat

4. Turn the chicken over and cook for 5 min more. Cut into the thickest part: the juices should run clear with no pink (75 °C on a thermometer).

5. Wipe out the fat with kitchen paper, leaving about 1 teaspoon. Turn the heat down to medium-low heat, add the minced garlic and the remaining ginger, grated, and stir for 20 seconds. Add the fish sauce, honey and 2 tablespoons of water and bubble for 2 min, turning the chicken to coat it in a glossy glaze. Keep the heat moderate: honey burns quickly.

   Add in this stepGarlic cloves 2Fresh ginger 15 gFish sauce 2 tspHoney 2 tsp

   medium-low heat

6. Move the chicken to a board to rest. Add the spinach to the pan and wilt it in the leftover glaze for 1 min.

   Add in this stepSpinach 60 g

7. Slice the chicken 1.5 cm thick. Fill bowls with rice, add the spinach and chicken, then the papaya pickle squeezed of its liquid and the sliced spring onions. Spoon any glaze left in the pan over the chicken.

   Add in this stepSpring onions 1