Chicken salad with cabbage and Vietnamese mint recipe (goi ga)

To make master stock, combine 6L water, light and dark soy sauces and 2 tbsp salt in a large saucepan, place over high heat and bring to the boil. Place cinnamon, star anise and cardamom in muslin, tie with kitchen string to make a pouch, then add to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes for the flavours to develop. Turn off heat and cool. If not using immediately, store in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Makes 6L.

To cook chicken, bring master stock to the boil, then add chicken, making sure it is fully submerged. Cover with a lid, return to the boil, then turn off the heat. Leave chicken for 45 minutes to ‘cook’, then remove from stock and set aside.

Meanwhile, to make dressing, place fish sauce, vinegar, sugar and 125ml (½ cup) water in a pan over medium heat and stir to combine. Bring mixture to just below boiling point, then set aside to cool. Add garlic, chilli and lime juice, and stir to combine.

To make fried garlic and garlic oil, heat oil in a wok or large, deep frying pan to 180°C (or until a cube of bread turns golden in 10 seconds). Add garlic and fry for 45 seconds or until golden. (Be careful not to overcook the garlic as it continues to cook once it is removed from the wok.) Strain into a bowl and drain on paper towel. Fried garlic will keep in an airtight container for up to 4 days and the garlic oil in a jar for up to 1 week. Makes 2 tbsp fried garlic and 1 cup garlic oil.

Remove meat from chicken and discard skin and bones. Shred chicken into a large bowl. Add cabbage, onion, herbs, 2 tsp fried garlic and 1 tbsp garlic oil, and toss gently to combine. Place salad on a platter and drizzle with dressing to taste. Scatter with peanuts, fried Asian eschalots and chillies to serve.

* Perilla and Vietnamese mint are available from Asian food shops.

Drink 2009 Jean-Luc Mader Pinot Gris or 333 beer Maintaining the master stock After using the stock once, add 1 tbsp salt and return to the boil. Skim scum from the surface, then strain into a clean saucepan and cool. Store stock. Each time you use the stock, you will need to adjust the water level and seasonings. Top with more water to make up 6L, add 1 tbsp dark soy sauce and 2 tbsp light soy sauce, and replace the aromatics about every third use. It is good practice to always taste your stock to see if the seasoning and aromatics need adjusting.

Photography by Alan Benson.