Coconut Chicken And Taro Root - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon cornstarch, or more to taste
1 tablespoon water
1 1/2 teaspoons light soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 skinless chicken thighs, cut into small chunks
oil for deep frying
1 taro, peeled and cut into small chunks
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 shallots, chopped
2 slices fresh ginger
water to cover
1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
4 leaves basil
salt to taste
1 pinch white sugar, or to taste

Preparation

Mix cornstarch and water together in a large bowl until dissolved. Add soy sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and salt. Mix in chicken; cover with plastic wrap and let marinate in the refrigerator, about 15 minutes.
Heat oil in a large saucepan or deep-fat fryer. Fry taro until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add shallots and ginger; cook and stir until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken; cook and stir until no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes.
Transfer chicken mixture to a large saucepan. Add fried taro. Pour in enough water to cover 3/4 of the mixture. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium, cover, and simmer until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the chicken reads at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 15 minutes. Stir in coconut milk and basil. Season with salt and sugar.