Swimming Chicken Curry

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This recipe and others can be found in the 12-part illustrated series “A World of Curries”. You can read all about this unique Indian flavor here.

 

Ingredients

3 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons peanut oil
4 exotic or Japanese eggplants, peeled and diced
2 small green chiles, such as serrano, seeds and stems removed, chopped
2 onions, coarsely chopped
4 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons chopped ginger
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 2-inch piece lemongrass, including the bulb
1 chicken, cut up
1 cup beer (or substitute water)
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon fish sauce, nam pla, (or substitute light soy sauce)
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

Combine the oils in a wok, heat, and quickly brown the eggplant, stirring often, for about 6 minutes.  Combine the chile, onions, garlic, ginger, turmeric, and lemongrass in a food processor or blender and puree to a fine paste.  

In a wok the paste in the oil, stirring often, for about 10 minutes, adding a little water if the paste begins to stick to the wok.  Add the chicken pieces, stir to coat with the paste, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.  Add the beer, wine, eggplant, and fish sauce, stir, cover, and simmer for another 20 minutes.  Just before serving, stir in the cardamom and cilantro, cover, and let sit for a minute or two.

Thai Red Curry Paste (Nam Prik Gaeng Ped)

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

This recipe and others can be found in the 12-part illustrated series “A World of Curries”. You can read all about this unique Indian flavor here.

 

Ingredients

10 small dried red chiles, such as piquins, stems removed
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 small onions
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1/2 cup fresh cilantro 
1/4 cup fresh basil or mint leaves
1 teaspoon salt
3 2-inch stalks lemongrass, including the bulb
1 1-inch piece of galangal, peeled
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 tablespoon shrimp paste
1 tablespoon corn or peanut oil
1 tablespoon lime zest
1/4 cup water

Instructions

Soak the chiles in water for 20 minutes to soften, then remove and drain. Roast the coriander and cumin seeds for about 2 minutes in a dry skillet, and when they are cooled, grind to a fine powder in a spice mill.

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree into a fine paste.  Store it in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator.

Thai Green Curry Paste (Kreung Gaeng Kiow Wahn)

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

This recipe and others can be found in the 12-part illustrated series “A World of Curries”. You can read all about this unique Indian flavor here.

 

Ingredients

1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
6 whole peppercorns
3 stalks lemongrass, bulb included, chopped
1/2 cup cilantro
1 2-inch piece of galangal or ginger, peeled
1 teaspoon lime zest
8 cloves garlic
4 shallots, coarsely chopped
12 green chiles such as serrano, stems removed, and halved
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon shrimp paste

Instructions

Roast the coriander and cumin seeds for about 2 minutes in a dry skillet, and when they are cooled, grind to a fine powder in a spice mill.
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until a fine paste is formed.
Pour the paste into an airtight jar and refrigerate. It will keep in the refrigerator for about a month.

Vietnamese Chicken Curry

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

This recipe and others can be found in the 12-part illustrated series “A World of Curries”. You can read all about this unique Indian flavor here.

 

Ingredients

1 teaspoon cayenne powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3-pound chicken, boned, and coarsely chopped (1 1/2 to 2 pounds of meat)
1/3 cup peanut or vegetable oil
2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1?inch cubes
6 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 bay or curry leaves
1 small stalk lemongrass
2 cups coconut milk, recipe here
1 cup carrots, cut 1?inch thick
1 cup milk

Instructions

Combine all the dry spices, sugar, and salt and toss with the chicken. Marinate for 1 hour at room temperature.

In a large skillet or wok, heat the oil for 1 minute over medium heat, and fry the sweet potatoes for about 10 minutes. Remove the sweet potatoes and set aside.

Using the same oil, fry the garlic and onions for 3 minutes over low heat. Add the bay or curry leaves and the lemongrass. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
 
Add the chicken with its marinade, mix well, and cook over high heat for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the coconut milk, mix well, and cook, covered, for 10 minutes. Add the carrots and milk and cook, covered, for 10 minutes.

Indonesian Chile Paste (Sambal Badjak)

Dave DeWitt Recipes Leave a Comment

This recipe and others can be found in the 12-part illustrated series “A World of Curries”. You can read all about this unique Indian flavor here.

 

Ingredients

8 to 10 fresh red chiles, such as serrano or jalapeño, seeds and stems removed
2 medium onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon shrimp paste or prawn paste
5 candlenuts (or substitute macadamia nuts or cashews)
1 teaspoon tamarind concentrate
1 small piece galangal, peeled and chopped (or substitute ginger)
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 kaffir lime leaves, crushed
1 cup thick coconut milk, recipe here    

Instructions

In a food processor or blender, combine the chiles, onions, garlic, shrimp paste, nuts, tamarind concentrate, and galangal, and puree to a fine paste.

Sautee the paste in the oil until aromatic, about 3 to 4 minutes, add the remaining ingredients, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.