Malaysian Chicken Curry

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut (dried flaked coconut, unsweetened)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• chili flakes
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons ginger, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped (red or yellow)
• 2 red chilies, chopped
• 1 stalk lemongrass (bruised and cut into chunks)
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 2 tablespoons chili paste (less or more depending on your tolerance)
• 2 tablespoons curry leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup coconut milk (i use the low fat variety)
• 3 skinless chicken thighs (halved so it makes 6 pcs)
• 3 tablespoons evaporated low-fat milk
• 1 -2 cup frozen mixed vegetables (carrot, green beans, pepper etc)

Recipe

• 1 first, dry fry the dessicated coconut with turmeric, ground ginger, garlic powder, chilli flakes, salt and pepper until lightly browned (you can also toast it in the oven at 300°f for 5-10mins but you have to watch it very carefully as it burns quickly; you may need to stir once or twice); set aside.
• 2 heat olive oil in a medium saucepan.
• 3 once hot, turn heat down to medium hot and saute onion, garlic, chopped chilli, ginger and lemongrass for 2 minutes.
• 4 stir in curry powder, mix well for another minute.
• 5 stir in chilli paste, stir fry until well-combined.
• 6 add curry leaves, stir fry until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes).
• 7 add about 1/2 - 1 cup of water and coconut milk.
• 8 simmer for 2-3 minutes.
• 9 add the chicken pieces and let cook over low heat for approximately 20 minutes, adding more water if you find it too dry.
• 10 add the evaporated milk to the curry, stir well.
• 11 add the vegetables and simmer for another 10 minutes.
• 12 you may add some salt and pepper if desired (i usually add a good dash of black pepper).
• 13 finally, stir in the dessicated coconut (the mixture should be quite thick).
• 14 serve over hot coconut rice (nasi lemak), garnished with sliced cucumber.