Fried Wild Rat with Basil

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) wild rat meat, cut into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) wild rat meat, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red chili, sliced 1 red chili, sliced
• 1 bunch fresh basil leaves 1 bunch fresh basil leaves
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 5g, 1g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. 2.
   Add the minced garlic and sliced chili to the hot oil and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. 3.
   Add the wild rat meat to the wok and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until cooked through.
4. 4.
   Season the meat with fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat the meat evenly.
5. 5.
   Add the fresh basil leaves to the wok and stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes until wilted.
6. 6.
   Remove from heat and transfer the Fried Wild Rat with Basil to a serving dish.
7. 7.
   Serve hot with steamed rice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Wild rat meat — Ensure that the wild rat meat is sourced from a reputable supplier and properly cleaned before use. Marinating the meat in a mixture of salt and vinegar for 30 minutes can help remove any potential gamey taste.

Tips & Tricks

• If wild rat meat is not available, you can substitute it with chicken or rabbit meat for a similar flavor profile.
• Adjust the amount of chili according to your spice preference.
• For an extra burst of flavor, add a squeeze of lime juice before serving.
• Make sure to use fresh basil leaves for the best aroma and taste.
• Serve the dish immediately to enjoy the crispy texture of the rat meat.

Serving advice

Serve the Fried Wild Rat with Basil hot over a bed of steamed rice. Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves for an appealing presentation.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Fried Wild Rat with Basil on a large platter, placing the vibrant basil leaves on top for an eye-catching display. Serve with a side of steamed rice and garnish with a sprinkle of sliced chili for an added pop of color.