Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Nyonya Kari Kay [Curry Chicken]

There are many versions of curry chicken with a wide variation in  ingredients and seasoning.  Each has its own taste and flavour depending on the cook.   In my home, we cook curries almost every week.  My mum cooks most of her curries using fresh curry paste easily available at almost all wet markets in Penang island [see post].  You just need to tell the vendor which curry you would like to prepare.  Sometimes they will tell you what other spice condiments to add to make the curries more flavourful and aromatic.  Thus, in Penang cooking curries at home is a breeze with the availability of these fresh curry paste.
However, when I have the time, I prefer to prepare my own curry paste according to my preference and I know what goes into the paste.  We prefer spicier and more aromatic curries.  Here, I have prepared the Nyonya style curry chicken paste which is much more spicier than those available in the wet markets.  
This curry is spicy, aromatic, thick and very tasty with rice.  Just for information, this curry is extremely spicy because I used the hottest species of dried red chillies.
Ingredients
[adapted from Nyonya Flavours with some modifications]
Curry Paste [Ingredients blended in processor]
15 gm [7-8] dried chillies - soaked and drained [I used more here]
100 gm [10] shallots
3-4 cloves garlic
2 candlenuts [buah keras] -  optional
10 gm toasted belacan
1 tsp tumeric powder
1 tsp fennel powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1-2 tbsp coriander powder

750 gm meaty chicken [chicken thighs] - cut bite size pieces [I removed the skin]
1 large potato - peeled and cut wedges [I used US Russet potato]
200 ml thin coconut milk
50 ml thick coconut milk
1/2 tbsp salt to taste
1 tsp sugar to taste
1 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
2 cloves
3 tbsp oil
  1. Blend dried chillies, shallots, garlic, candlenuts with belacan in a blender until fine.  Then mix with the powdered ingredients.  Set aside.
  2. Heat oil over medium low heat to saute star anise, cinnamon stick and cloves until aromatic.  Add in prepared curry paste.  Stir fry until oil separates.
  3. Add in chicken, fry for a minute, then add in potatoes.  Stir to coat well with the curry paste for 1-2 minutes.  Pour in the thin coconut milk.  Add in seasoning [salt and sugar] to taste.
  4. Bring it to a boil and continue to cool until chicken and potatoes are tender.
  5. Lastly add in the thick coconut milk and cook until gravy is slightly thick.
  6. Serve with plain white rice or Nasi Kunyit [Tumeric Rice] or Roti Jala.
This post is linked to the event,  Little Thumbs Up [June 2013 - Curry Paste/Powder] organised by Zoe [Bake for Happy Kids] and Mui Mui [My Little Favourite DIY] and hosted by Miss B of Everybody Eats Well in Flanders

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I'm also submitting this to  Malaysian Food Fest [June 2013] - Penang hosted by Alan of Travellingfoodie
MALAYSIAN FOOD FEST
I'm also linking this post to Cook your Books #1 Event hosted by Kitchen Flavours
Cook-Your-Books

14 comments:

  1. Hi Kimmy, I love the look of this gulai:D very delicious I am sure...will try when I have the time.

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  2. Kimmy, your curry kay looks good! The colour is very intense, so I know it must be very spicy just the way your hubby likes it :)

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  3. Hi Kimmy,
    Chicken curry is always a favourite, it really is an evergreen in Malaysian household! Looks so delicious, and I would spoon for the potatoes and gravy first! Haha!
    Thank you for linking!

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  4. Hi Jeannie, rather spicy if you used the 'hot' specie dried chillies. Comparing with the ready bought paste, this is more aromatic and 'hot'.

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  5. Hi Phong Hong, you are right, no complains from my hubby. He was sweating all over [like just out from a shower] while enjoying this curry.

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  6. Hi Joyce, yes I went for the gravy and potatoes first. Then slowly chewing the chicken meat, hmm...

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  7. I can easily get ready curry paste from wet market too, but I still prefer to make my own curry paste like you, hehehe..

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  8. Love this dish! Homemade spices always great!

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  9. Hi Sonia, I go for the fresh curry paste when time is a constraint. Nowadays, I prefer to blend my own, not that difficult though and it's more economical.

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  10. Hi Kimmy,

    I used to like the convenience of using ready-to-use curry paste too but now, I begin to see the "beauty" and benefits of making my own paste. Your curry looks great! I would love to "pinch" this recipe from you :D

    Zoe

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  11. Hi Zoe, would be glad if you can try this. Adding pandan and curry leaves make this curry more aromatic. It's worth the effort to make your own curry paste. There is a difference.

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  12. I totally agree with you. Curry dishes may also differ depending on what the eater want it to be. As for me, I want it thick, rich and creamy and this recipe is just perfect! Let me add this to my Indian recipes Pinterest board. Cheers!

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  13. Thanks Prasad, glad you like this kind of curry.

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  14. Perfect curry for any Indian flat bread.

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