Restaurant Recipe Finds: Sam Hazen Tao and Thai Roasted Buddha Chicken

I found out about Sam Hazen ( now departed from Tao restaurant) on Emeril Lagasse’s show. Mr. Hazen has quite an Asian influence and his Tao restaurant is a very popular restaurants in NYC and Las Vegas.
more on his background
http://www.lasvegasrestaurants.com/chef.cfm/restaurant/1159/TaoAsianBistro


So are the recipes and here is one that looks very good, not only for the use of the chicken, but the dipping sauce and more.
this recipe is from

Tao Asian Bistro
Roasted Thai Buddha Chicken

The Thai Roasted Buddha Chicken takes the meaty leg/thigh combo and breast portions only from the chicken, and gives them a long, 24-hour dip in a rich marinade, prior to roasting. Serve with your favorite rice dish.

Serves:
6
Vegetarian:
No
Preparation Time:
23:55
Cuisine:
Asian
Difficulty:
Moderate
Meal Type:
Dinner
Main Ingredient:
chicken
Dish Type:
Main Course
Main Cooking Method:
Roast
Season/Occasion:
Any Occasion
Recipe
Ingredients
• 4 piece(s) galangal (if you don't have use Ginger)
• 24 piece(s) garlic (cloves)
• 8 each Thai chiles, finely chopped
• 24 each shallots, roughly chopped
• 1 C. cilantro leaves, plus some for garnish
• 24 oz. coconut milk
• 12 oz. sweet Thai chili sauce, plus some for drizzling
• 1 salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 lb. skin-on chicken pieces, leg and breast only
• 2 Tbsp. canola oil
• 12 oz. chicken stock
• 1 recipe Buddha Chicken Chili Sauce, recipe follows
• 3 oz. unsalted butter
• 3 each limes, peeled and sliced
• 1 recipe Choi Sum, recipe follows
Directions
In the bowl of a food processor, combine galangal, garlic, Thai chilies, shallots, 1 cup cilantro leaves, coconut milk, chili sauce and salt and pepper to taste. Pulse on high for 30 seconds or until mixture is a smooth puree. Place chicken in a bowl and pour marinade over chicken, turning the chicken several times to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper. In a large oven-safe saute pan on medium high heat, add canola oil and sear chicken, skin side down. Let chicken cook, undisturbed, for 3 to 4 minutes or until browned well. Place pan in oven for 12 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside until cool enough to handle. Meanwhile, in the same saute pan, add chicken stock and Buddha Chicken Chili Sauce (see recipe) and bring to a simmer, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to incorporate any browned bits. Let mixture simmer for 6 to 8 minutes. Add butter and stir to incorporate.
While the sauce is simmering, French the chicken pieces: using a kitchen towel, hold the wing tip of the chicken and scrape the meat toward the breast until the bone is bare. Repeat the process with the drumstick and thigh portion and set aside.
To serve:
Top slices of peeled lime with Choi Sum (see recipe), place the chicken on top, and drizzle with more sweet Thai chili sauce if desired.
Note
Most Asian specialty food markets will carry items such as galangal, thai chiles, etc.


Buddha Chicken Chili Sauce
Ingredients
• 2 oz. sugar
• 3 oz. lime juice
• 8 oz. sweet Thai chili sauce
Directions
In a medium non-reactive bowl, dissolve sugar in lime juice and mix well. Add chili sauce and mix to combine. Place the mixture into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until smooth, about 15 seconds.


Choi Sum
Ingredients
• 2 C. ice cubes
• 16 oz. choi sum, or bok choi
• 4 Tbsp. olive or vegetable oil
• 6 Tbsp. thinly sliced garlic
• 6 Tbsp. finely diced sweet white onion
• 16 Tbsp. sweet Thai chili sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 3 limes, juiced
Directions
In a medium pot, bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil. Place ice cubes in a medium bowl and cover with cold water. When water is boiling, add choi sum or bok choy and cook for 10 seconds. Remove from water and add to bowl with ice cubes to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, remove from bowl and place onto paper towel lined plate to drain excess water.
Just before serving, heat oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and sweat for 15 seconds. Add choi sum, chili sauce, sugar, and lime juice, and continue to cook for 30 seconds. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.
Note
Choi sum, or Chinese flowering cabbage, is a slightly bitter, leafy plant that is related to the broccoli family. It is available at some Asian specialty markets or produce stands. Substitute bok choy if unavailable.