Weeknight Vegetarian Coconut Curry Food

COCONUT VEGETABLE CURRY

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and clove and cook, stirring, until the whole spices are toasted, about 20 seconds.
• Add the onions, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, about 2 minutes. Add the coriander, cumin, chili powder and turmeric; cook, stirring and scraping the pan, until the ground spices are toasted, about 30 seconds.
• Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring, until they break down, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in 1 1/4 cups water and the coconut milk. Add the potatoes, eggplant, cauliflower and serrano; season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low; cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
• Add the green beans and simmer, uncovered, until tender, 5 minutes. Thin the curry with water, if necessary. Discard the serrano and season with salt. Serve with rice and top with cilantro.

WEEKNIGHT VEGETARIAN COCONUT CURRY

Steps:

• Curry: Heat oil in a large saucepan or wok over medium/high heat. Add shallots and ginger, cooking for a few minutes until shallots are translucent. Add curry paste and cook a few minutes more, until fragrant. Add coconut milk, bouillon, soy, honey, and chili garlic sauce. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer while you prepare the rest.
• Starch: Prepare rice or rice noodles according to instructions on package.
• Tofu: Drain and pat tofu as dry as possible with paper towels. Cut into bite-sized cubes. Heat oil in a large saucepan or wok over medium/high heat, then add the tofu. Cook until sides are slightly browned, then add in a few spoonfuls of your curry soup. Cook for a minute or two, until curry has evaporated, then remove tofu from pan.
• Veggies: Add carrots, cabbage, and snap peas to the pan the tofu was just in, and stir fry over medium/high heat until colors are vibrant, about 3 minutes.
• Serve: Combine curry soup, tofu, rice/noodles, and vegetables in a the pan, or assemble in individual serving bowls. Optionally top with Thai basil and sesame seeds.

COCONUT VEGETABLE CURRY

Steps:

• Put the tomatoes, garlic, ginger, cayenne, cumin, paprika, turmeric, garam masala, curry powder and a large pinch of salt in a medium Dutch oven. Stir to combine and set over medium-high heat. Bring to a strong simmer, lower the heat to medium, partially cover the pot with a lid (this will prevent splattering) and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Turn off the heat and stir in the coconut milk. Blend until smooth with an immersion blender or in a regular blender (if using a regular blender, remove the small cap in the lid and cover the top with a kitchen towel to release steam as you blend, then return the sauce to the pot). Add the red bell pepper, zucchini, eggplant, onion and a large pinch of salt to the pot. Stir to combine and set over medium-high heat. Bring to a strong simmer, then lower the heat to medium, partially cover with a lid (this will prevent from splattering) and continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender but not mushy, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the coconut oil until melted, about 30 seconds. Season to taste with additional salt if needed.
• Meanwhile, combine the jasmine rice and 1 1/3 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook until the rice is tender and all the water has been absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes. Turn off the heat and fluff with a fork. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
• Divide the rice and curry between 4 bowls, sprinkle with the scallions and serve.

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.