Lemongrass And Turmeric Chicken Curry With Roasted Sweet Potato Food

CHICKEN AND SWEET POTATO CURRY (CARI GA)

Steps:

• Heat a dry frying pan over a medium heat. Add all the spice mix ingredients and roast for 2 minutes until they have darkened, shaking the pan constantly to prevent burning. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
• Transfer the spices to a spice mill or pestle and mortar and grind into a fine powder.
• Put the chicken in a bowl with half of the spice mix and the salt. Toss well to coat. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
• Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat and brown the sweet potatoes for about 5 minutes so they are just browned, not cooked through. Remove the potatoes and set aside.
• Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Take the chicken out and put with the sweet potatoes.
• Add the shallots and garlic to the pan and stir fry for 5 minutes.
• Add the rest of the spice mix, coconut milk, lemongrass paste, kaffir lime leaves, carrots, fish sauce, chicken and sweet potatoes to the pan.
• Stir well and simmer for 20 minutes.

CHICKEN LEMONGRASS AND POTATO CURRY - ADAPTED FROM ANDREA NGUYEN

Steps:

• The lemongrass, ginger and onion paste. Place lemongrass into the bowl of the food processor and process until the lemongrass is transformed into a soft, fluffy mass, about 3 minutes. (You'll see a whirling snow blizzard in the bowl.) Add the ginger to the bowl of the food process and pulse until the ginger is finely chopped. Add the onion and process the entire mixture to a nice paste.
• Cook the curry. Heat the oil in a large saucepan (4 or 5-quart) over medium heat. Saute the paste of lemongrass, ginger and onion until it is fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the curry powder and dried red chili flakes (if using) and continue sautéing to aromatize the spices, about 1 minute. Add the chicken pieces, salt, pepper, coconut milk and enough water to just cover the chicken. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes.
• Add the potatoes. While the curry simmers, peel the potatoes and cut them into 1-inch chunks. Add the potatoes to the curry when the initial cooking time has elapsed. Bring the curry back to a simmer and continue cooking for 15 minutes, until the potatoes are tender. Turn off the heat and let the curry sit, covered, for 30 to 45 minutes to let the flavors meld and mature.
• Final touches. Reheat over low heat and correct the seasoning. Serve with lots of steamed rice, or warm baguette for dipping. Lime wedges are a good accompaniment for folks who want to cut some of the heat!
• NOTES & TIPS.

COCONUT CHICKEN CURRY WITH TURMERIC AND LEMONGRASS

Steps:

• Remove tough outer layers from lemongrass. Finely grate bottom third of 1 stalk and set aside; discard the rest of the stalk. Trim and discard top third of remaining stalk, then bruise stalk by giving it a few whacks against a cutting board (this helps release the essential oils). Tie it in a loose knot; set aside.
• Pulse reserved grated lemongrass with shallot, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, turmeric, and 2 Tbsp. water in a food processor, adding a splash or two of water if needed, until a paste forms.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook, skin side down, until skin is lightly browned and crisp, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Cook spice paste in same skillet, stirring, until very fragrant, about 5 minutes (it will begin to darken slightly as the water evaporates and the paste begins to fry in the fat left behind).
• Add kaffir lime leaves (if using), cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, coconut milk, coconut sugar, and reserved knotted lemongrass to skillet. Bring to a simmer, add chicken, and cook, turning pieces occasionally and scraping bottom of skillet often, until chicken is falling-apart tender and coconut milk has broken (the fat will separate from the liquid and start to brown the chicken and other aromatics), about 1 1/2 hours.
• Toast shredded coconut in a dry small skillet over medium heat, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
• Arrange chicken on a platter and spoon any braising liquid over. Top with cilantro, chives, and toasted coconut.

CHICKEN CURRY WITH POTATOES AND LEMONGRASS

Steps:

• Combine fish sauce, garam masala, paprika, and turmeric in a bowl. Rub mixture deeply into chicken and let marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Combine onions, habanero pepper, ginger root, and garlic in a blender and process until smooth.
• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion mixture, lemongrass, and shrimp paste. Stir and fry for about 8 minutes.
• Pour chicken and marinade into the saucepan. Stir and fry until seared on all sides, about 10 minutes. Add potatoes and salt and stir for about 3 minutes. Add broth, making sure chicken and potatoes are covered; add more liquid if necessary. Bring to a boil and cook, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove lid and cook 10 minutes more.