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For the Nasi Lemak Rice: Combine the rice, coconut milk, 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 knotted pandan leaves, 1 small sliced ginger, and 1 smashed lemongrass stalk in a rice cooker.

Cook the rice in the rice cooker until done. This typically takes about 20-25 minutes, followed by a 10-15 minute resting period.

For the Hainan Chicken Chop: Marinate the chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon ginger juice, 1 teaspoon garlic juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper. Mix well to ensure all chicken pieces are coated.

Let the chicken marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.

Prepare the chicken batter: In a bowl, combine 1 cup plain flour, 1/2 cup water, 1 egg, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper. Whisk until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.

For the Sambal: Soak 100 grams of dried chilies in hot water for 30 minutes. This will soften them for blending.

While the chilies are soaking, prepare the other sambal ingredients: roughly chop the shallots, garlic, and ginger.

Once the chilies are soft, drain them. Blend the soaked chilies, 100 grams shallots, 15 grams garlic, 10 grams ginger, and 10 grams belacan (shrimp paste) in a food processor or blender until a smooth paste is formed. Add a splash of water if needed to help blend.

Heat cooking oil (about 1/4 cup) in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Add the blended chili paste and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until fragrant and slightly darkened.

Add 1 tablespoon tamarind paste, 100 grams palm sugar, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 cup water to the sambal. Stir well to combine.

Continue to cook the sambal for another 10 minutes, or until the oil separates from the sambal and the mixture thickens. Set aside.

Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a deep pan or pot for frying the chicken chop to 350°F (175°C).

Dip each marinated chicken thigh into the prepared batter, ensuring it's fully coated. Carefully place the battered chicken into the hot oil.

Fry the chicken in batches if necessary, for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until it is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove from oil and place on a wire rack to drain excess oil.

Make the Chicken Chop Sauce: In a separate small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.

Add 1 tablespoon of flour to the melted butter and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a roux.

Gradually pour in 1 cup of chicken stock, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Add 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper. Continue to cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

For Assembly: Serve a portion of the Nasi Lemak rice on a plate.

Spoon a generous amount of the prepared sambal next to the rice.

Place one fried Hainan chicken chop on the plate.

Pour the chicken chop sauce over the fried chicken.

Garnish with fresh cucumber slices, fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, and a fried egg for each serving.


For the Nasi Lemak Rice: Combine the rice, coconut milk, 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 knotted pandan leaves, 1 small sliced ginger, and 1 smashed lemongrass stalk in a rice cooker.

Cook the rice in the rice cooker until done. This typically takes about 20-25 minutes, followed by a 10-15 minute resting period.

For the Hainan Chicken Chop: Marinate the chicken thighs with 1 teaspoon ginger juice, 1 teaspoon garlic juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper. Mix well to ensure all chicken pieces are coated.

Let the chicken marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature.

Prepare the chicken batter: In a bowl, combine 1 cup plain flour, 1/2 cup water, 1 egg, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper. Whisk until the batter is smooth and free of lumps.

For the Sambal: Soak 100 grams of dried chilies in hot water for 30 minutes. This will soften them for blending.

While the chilies are soaking, prepare the other sambal ingredients: roughly chop the shallots, garlic, and ginger.

Once the chilies are soft, drain them. Blend the soaked chilies, 100 grams shallots, 15 grams garlic, 10 grams ginger, and 10 grams belacan (shrimp paste) in a food processor or blender until a smooth paste is formed. Add a splash of water if needed to help blend.

Heat cooking oil (about 1/4 cup) in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Add the blended chili paste and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until fragrant and slightly darkened.

Add 1 tablespoon tamarind paste, 100 grams palm sugar, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 cup water to the sambal. Stir well to combine.

Continue to cook the sambal for another 10 minutes, or until the oil separates from the sambal and the mixture thickens. Set aside.

Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a deep pan or pot for frying the chicken chop to 350°F (175°C).

Dip each marinated chicken thigh into the prepared batter, ensuring it's fully coated. Carefully place the battered chicken into the hot oil.

Fry the chicken in batches if necessary, for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until it is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove from oil and place on a wire rack to drain excess oil.

Make the Chicken Chop Sauce: In a separate small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.

Add 1 tablespoon of flour to the melted butter and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a roux.

Gradually pour in 1 cup of chicken stock, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Add 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper. Continue to cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

For Assembly: Serve a portion of the Nasi Lemak rice on a plate.

Spoon a generous amount of the prepared sambal next to the rice.

Place one fried Hainan chicken chop on the plate.

Pour the chicken chop sauce over the fried chicken.

Garnish with fresh cucumber slices, fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, and a fried egg for each serving.
