Braised Chicken with Pumpkin and Sweet Basil

My Sweet Basil Plants

Our sweet basil plants have grown so fast that we have four big pots and 2 small ones.  We are trying to incorporate these sweet and aromatic basil leaves to our dishes where possible and they really do add a wonderful flavour to our meals!

Ingredients

1 lb chicken pieces - chopped into pieces
1 small pumpkin  - remove outer layer and seeds and cut into chunks
2 dried chillies
2 slices ginger
1/2 white onion- sliced
3 cloves garlic - unpeeled and lightly mashed2 star anise

4 cm cinnamon stick

20 italian sweet basil leaves

salt to taste

1/2 cup water 2 tbsp cooking oil

Sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp yellow wine

Method

1. Heat up a large pan under medium heat and fry the chicken pieces till they are browned.  Transfer to a plate and set aside.
2. Add oil to the pan, fry the dried chillies, sweet basil leaves, onion, ginger and garlic till fragrant.  Add chicken pieces, star anise, cinnamon stick, sauce and water to the pan.
3. Cover and let it simmer under medium low heat for 20 minutes.  Add squash and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes or until the ingredients are to desired softness.  Add salt to taste if necessary.
4. Transfer to a serving plate and serve warm.