• 3 lb chicken
• 1 lg onion
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 ts ground chilies
• 1 tb granulated sugar
• 1 c water
• 4 cloves garlic
• 3 tb vegetable oil
• 2 tb minced lemon grass
• 4 tb fish sauce(nuoc mam)
• 1 tb caramel sauce

caramel sauce:

• mix 1/2 c sugar with 4 tablespoons of water in heavy saucepan.
• bring to a boil over medium heat and let boil until mixture changes colour.
• turn heat down to low and heat until brown.
• add 1/2 cup water to mixture.
• stir until sugar is dissolved.
• remove from heat and store in a jar in the refrigerator.

main meal:

• rinse chicken and dry well.
• cut into small pieces.
• peel garlic and slice finely.
• cut onion into halves lengthwise and then cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch strips.
• heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat. add a pinch of salt, garlic and onion.
• fry over medium heat until onion becomes translucent.
• add lemon grass and chili.
• fry 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant.
• add chicken and cook until lightly browned.
• add fish sauce, sugar and caramel sauce.
• mix well.
• add 1 cup water and cook 45 minutes or until chicen is tender.
• stir occasionally and add more water if necessary.