Coconut Tamarind Chicken Curry Food

FRAGRANT CHICKEN, CORIANDER & COCONUT CURRY

Steps:

• Whizz together the coconut milk and coriander (leaves and stalks) in a food processor, then tip out and set aside. Quickly wipe out the machine, add the garlic, ginger and chillies, then whizz with enough water to make a paste.
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan. Brown the chicken well on all sides, then remove. Add the onion, cloves and cinnamon and fry until lightly coloured. Add the chilli paste to the pan, then cook until most of the liquid has evaporated.
• Return the chicken, then stir in the powdered spices and coconut paste. Bring to a boil, cover the pan, then cook for 40-50 mins, removing the lid halfway through cooking so the sauce can thicken. Check the chicken is cooked, stir in the tamarind paste, season to taste, then add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.
• Whizz together the coconut milk and coriander (leaves and stalks) in a food processor, then tip out and set aside. Quickly wipe out the machine, add the garlic, ginger and chillies, then whizz with enough water to make a paste.
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan. Brown the chicken well on all sides, then remove. Add the onion, cloves and cinnamon and fry until lightly coloured. Add the chilli paste to the pan, then cook until most of the liquid has evaporated.
• Return the chicken, then stir in the powdered spices and coconut paste. Bring to a boil, cover the pan, then cook for 40-50 mins, removing the lid halfway through cooking so the sauce can thicken. Check the chicken is cooked, stir in the tamarind paste, season to taste, then add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

TAMARIND MARINATED CHICKEN BREASTS IN COCONUT-CHICKPEA FLOUR

Steps:

• Combine marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Add chicken breasts and cover well with marinade. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours or do it in the morning and leave in fridge until dinnertime.
• Curry: Heat oil on medium heat 1 minute. Add onions and saute till golden brown about 10 minutes. Edges of some onions will be slightly burnt and that's okay.
• Stir in tomatoes, jalapeno, cumin, coriander, cayenne, tumeric, cinnamon stick and salt. Cook 5 to 8 minutes or until oil glistens through tomatoes. Reduce heat to low.
• In a separate bowl, mix chick pea flour and 1 cup of water mixing thoroughly with whisk. Make sure there are no lumps.
• Add this mixture and remaining water to curry. Stir well and increase heat to medium.
• When curry boils, reduce to low and add coconut milk.
• Stir curry regularly and simmer for 20-30 minutes. The curry will thicken as it boils. Cook until the curry is the consistency of a cream sauce.
• Preheat BBQ or grilling pan to high heat. If in the kitchen, turn the exhaust fan on high and open the windows.
• Grill each chicken breast 4-5 minutes each side. Test for doneness and cook another minute per side if necessary.

COCONUT CHICKEN CURRY

Steps:

• Trim the chicken thighs of excess fat and cut into 1/2- to 1-inch pieces; transfer to a bowl. Add the paprika, turmeric and salt, and use your hands to mix well. Let the chicken marinate at room temperature while you prepare the other ingredients, or cover and refrigerate overnight.
• In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high. Stir in the onions, lower the heat to medium-low and cook gently, stirring often to prevent scorching, until tender and translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to cook, stirring often, until most of the water from the onions has been cooked out and a glossy layer of oil has risen to the surface, about 5 minutes more.
• Add the marinated chicken and stir to release the spices into the onion. Pour in the coconut milk and bring to a near boil. Let the coconut milk simmer briskly for about 4 minutes to thicken a bit. Lower the heat to medium-low and add the fish sauce. Stir in 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a near boil. The broth will thin out as the chicken starts to release its juices.
• Lower to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Droplets of paprika-red oil will rise to the surface. Stir in the curry powder and cayenne, simmer briefly and remove from the heat.
• If time permits, let the curry sit for at least 20 minutes before serving. This allows the chicken to soak in more flavors as the curry cools. Bring to a simmer again right before serving and taste, adding more salt or fish sauce if desired. Serve over rice or noodles, with bowls of cilantro and lime wedges.