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Chicken with Garlic and Ginger (Madagascar)

serves 5 to 6

Akoho misy Sakamalao (ah-KOO-hoo mee-see sha-kah-mah-LAH-no) The combination of garlic and ginger used in this dish is a common one in Malagasy cooking.

Cut in serving pieces: 

3 pound chicken (remove skin if you prefer)

Prepare:

2-inch piece fresh ginger root peeled and grated or crushed

6 cloves garlic, finely minced or crushed

Rub ginger and garlic into the chicken. Sprinkle with a little salt. Place a small amount of oil in a large frying pan and gently cook chicken on low heat until done, about 40 minutes. Test to make sure chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Serve with cooked rice, which is a staple food in Madagascar.

If you wish to serve a meal, you might decorate the table with bright colors, and put a flower at each place. Orchids are likely too expensive, but you can use any nice flower. Cooked spinach and ripe sliced tomatoes could accompany the meal. It is not common practice to serve bread or rolls. If you want to eat in a true Malagasy style, you would serve the meal on a mat on the floor, with everyone gathered around the food, sharing from a common dish. A good beverage to serve would be tea, although we cannot usually find Malagasy tea in the U.S.