Presentation is a bit lacking here, but I discovered if I used a mandolin to shred the cucumber and make a nest for the game hen it's much prettier.
"HAINANESE" a.k.a. SINGAPORE CHICKEN RICE
Ingredients for the chicken:
1 Cornish game hen
2-3 cloves garlic
1 inch fresh ginger
Sesame Oil
Light Soy Sauce
1 medium sized cucumber
1 qt Chicken Stock
Salt
Ingredients for the rice
1 Shallot
1 Clove Garlic
1 inch Ginger Bruised
½ cup rice
1 cup chicken stock (from cooking game hen)
1 tsp oil
1/2 teaspoon of salt
Ingredients for Soup to accompany the Chicken rice
Balance of water used to boil the chicken
½ cup shredded cabbage
1 peeled and chopped shallot
Chives or green onion tops for garnish
METHOD
Clean game hen and salt heavily inside cavity. Smash the garlic cloves and ginger root and insert them into the cavity.
In the smallest saucepan or pot that will hold the game hen bring the stock to a boil. Drop the hen into the stock and boil for 25 minutes, until done. The game hen must be completely covered with stock, if not add water to cover. An instant read thermometer will read 170 degrees inserted in the thigh. Remove the game hen and let it cool down.
While the chicken is cooling down, the rice can be prepared. Finely chop a shallot, one clove garlic and mash ½ inch of ginger root. Fry together until tender in a small sauce pan with a close fitting lid. Stirring continuously add the rice and fry until opaque. Add 1 cup stock (from the cooked hen), bring to a boil, cover and simmer over very low heat until done, about 20 minutes. Remove the ginger root before serving.
Brush the cooled game hen with sesame oil. Cut the hen into individual pieces for serving.
Make the soup by adding the chopped shallot and cabbage to the remaining cooking stock. Season to taste with salt. Boil gently for 15 minutes.
To serve, julienne the cucumber to make a bed for the game hen. Nest the game hen pieces on the cucumber and serve the rice and soup separately garnished with the chives or green onion tops.
Serve with light soy sauce for dipping or add your favorite dipping sauce.