Saturday August 29, 2009

Kampung chicken is gaining popularity among consumers

By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ

FREE range chicken or kampung chicken are often sought after as a healthier option to battery chicken.

These chicken are free to run in the countryside and feed on natural vegetation, and are not administered hormone injections. Hence, kampung chicken are said to have less fat and more lean meat with a better texture, and fetch a higher price. As a result, more farmers are rearing free-range poultry.

One such company is Lipis Dimensi, which produces special kampung chicken under the label Sunshine Chicken. The company, which started operations a year ago, has its farm in Kuala Lipis, Pahang.

It is claimed that the poultry marketed under the brand name has a unique texture, colour and flavour, compared with the others in the market.

Delectable: The array of food at the Sunday Brunch ranges from appetisers and main courses to desserts.

Hence, the birds are sought after by consumers who are particular about what they eat.

Lipis Dimensi operations manager Gerald D’Cruz said the chicken were reared without growth hormones, antibiotics or vaccines, and fed on what was available in the natural environment.

“Hence, the meat is tastier and has a good texture,” he said during a brunch at the Hakka Republic Wine Restaurant & Food Bar in Menara Hup Seng in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

“The poultry feed on special ma cho grass and the natural vegetation on the land, including unadulterated natural water.

“To ensure a balanced diet, they are also fed corn from approved feed mills. This combination gives our chicken a lovely colour, superb flavour and succulent texture,” he added.

The weight of the chicken varies from 1.5kg to 3kg. The farm caters for all needs with birds of all sizes, but as a general rule, the longer a chicken is kept, the larger it will grow. And, a chicken tastes best when it is mature, regardless of its size.

Due to its high quality, the brand is gaining popularity and it is garnering a steady following among restaurants.

Hakka Republic uses Sunshine Chicken products to create many dishes and during its recent Sunday Brunch, Chicken Roulatte was served as part of its buffet selection.

Outlet executive chef Adi Radzi said the recipe used chicken thigh, which was de-boned and marinated in teriyaki sauce, black pepper and sea salt for three hours before it was rolled with vegetables such as carrot, spring onions and garlic leaves.

“It is one of the contemporary recipes using this type of chicken,” he said.

However, to taste the full goodness of the bird, it is best done full roast. This way, one would be able to truly savour the natural juiciness and texture of the chicken.

According to the chef, the Sunshine Chicken birds take a while longer to cook than ordinary chicken, but they are also bigger than other kampung chicken in the market.

The outlet has a Sunday Brunch promotion from 11.30am to 3.30pm weekly. It is priced at RM65++ per person and is free for a child under 10 years old.

For enquiries, call 03-2078 8908.