Monday, August 27, 2012

Thai Red Curry Chicken with Homemade Curry paste



If you look at my recent posts you would reliase that I have not talked about the weather for quite sometime. And I guess with that I atleast have earned myself an opportunity to talk about it once more. Especially when we all are under it. Right now the weather is really nasty here in Kolkata. The sudden weather change has got even the most immuned and stronger ones under its grip. Every house is suffering from bad viral fever and cough n colds.

If that was not enough the bad weather and scarcity of rain has managed to give rise to the Dengue mosquitos and how much the Govt. authorities try to deny it too many cases of this dreaded diseas has surfaced already. Come evening and we all lock ourselves within closed doors and windows.

In this hot and humid and gloomy weather the last thing I would like is to get into the kitchen and cook up a storm. But at the same time I crave for something warm, something ‘open up the blocked nose’ kinda spicy meal. And nothing fits that description better than some spicy Thai meal. Spicy, tangy and fiery red.

Thai cooking is quick if you have the basic ingredients ready. I prefer to cook my own red curry paste whenevr I get some fresh Galangal and stock it in the fridge. With that in store making a meal never takes more than 30 minutes.

Vegetarians replace chicken with tofu or paneer. Even the curry tastes awesome only with vegetables.

Red curry chicken with vegetables
(serves 2-3)

Ingredients:
Red curry paste:
(adapted from Thai table)
Shallots: 11/4 cup
Dry red chillies: 5-6 whole dry red chilies
Galangal: 4 tbsp chopped (or use young ginger)
Garlic: ½ cup
Coriander roots: ¼ cup (I used both roots and stems)
Dried shrimp paste: 2 tsp (or use 5-6 medium prawn heads)
Kaffir lime leaves 1 tbsp (or use gandhoraj lime leaves)
Zest of one big lime or 2 lemons
Oil: 1 tbsp
salt

for the curry
Ingredients:
Boneless chicken: 300 gms cut in 1” cubes
Vegetables: carrots, zucchini, eggplant (used the thin long variety)French beans, capsicum, baby corn: all cut in thick diagonal strips: 2 cups (we add more than 3 cups as we love it that way)
Tomato: 1 large red tomato
Coconut milk: 200 ml (used dabur’s)
Kaffir lime leaves: 2-3 pieces
Fresh red chilies: 2
Kashmiri red chili powder: 1/2 tsp
Fish sauce: 1 tsp
Sugar: 1 tsp
Oil: 2 tbsp

Method:
First make the curry paste. Wash and chop the lemongrass in thin slices. Tear the lime leaves. Slice the shallots, galangal, coriander roots and garlic in thick chunky pieces. place everything except the oil in the blender jar. You should actually grind it in a mortar and pestle. And make a not so smooth paste.

Heat 1 tbsp oil and fry this spice paste with salt on low flame. Cook for 7-8 minutes till the paste is cooked and oil start to ooze at the sides. This paste can be kept for a couple of months if fridges. 

Always keep this in an airtight glass jar.

To make the curry
Rub a pinch of salt to the chicken and keep aside.
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a big pot and add 3 tbsp curry paste and very thinly sliced kaffir lime leaves. Once it releases the aroma add in the chicken. Stir for 3-4 minutes and then add the veggies. Mix to coat everyting well.

Let it cook on low flame for 3-4 minutes minutes. Stir constantly.
Add the coconut milk and 3/4 cup of water or enough to cover everything. Mix everything well. bring it to a boil and then add fish sauce, salt and sugar to balance the taste. I also added 1/2 tsp kashmiri red chili powder for colour. Bring down the heat and let it simmer gently for 5-6 minutes.cut the tomato in  6 or 8 pieces and add. mix and simmer for another 2-3 minutes, till the chicken is done and the curry is thickened. Add chopped fresh red chilies if you like. Finish of with some fresh basil or coriander. 


Serve with steamed white rice. 

A Homemaker's Notes:
  • You can definitely use good red curry paste.
  • to make this purely vegetarian substitute fish sauce with light soy sauce, the shrimp paste with bean sauce.
  • Substitute chicken with mushroom, tofu or paneer. or make a purely vegetable based curry.
  • other veggies that you could include are mushrooms, Thai eggplant, snowpeas, broccoli etc. 

47 comments:

  1. Thai chicken curry looks awesome! very nice clicks dear.

    Inviting you to visit my space at your leisure.
    http://sanolisrecipies.blogspot.com

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  2. An all time favorite , love the clicks

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  3. Never cooked Thai food at home. Love the red curry paste..amazing colour!! The dish looks very inviting Sayantani! By the way, my parcel from mum has started..can't wait till it reaches me:)

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  4. I love Thai curries. Generally land up making the green curry at home...Hope you all are feeling better soon...The weather is bad here too, it rains one day and sunny another

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  5. Gorgeous preparation with great detailing

    http://shwetainthekitchen.blogspot.com/

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  6. Thai chicken curry looks delicious.

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  7. Thai red curry with chicken and vegetable looks very gorgeous and tempting. Very beautiful click.


    Cuisine Delights
    My Monthly Event - Spotlight : "Healthy Snacks"

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  8. I buy thai red paste from store :-( too bad..And yes in the process I don't use fish oil instead I use soy sauce..Khoob bhalo hoyeche dekhte..Team it with plain rice and relish this combination

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  9. colorful and nice presentation..

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  10. Omg, salivating here, cant take my eyes from ur thai foods..Irresistible!

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  11. Love,love,love Thai curries!! Haven't made it in a long time-thank you for reminding me :)

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  12. achcha eta to besh jhaal hobe toh!! oi laal color ta lonka chara ar kichu diye kora jabe ki?

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  13. @KRishna, use kashmiri chili powder or sweet paprika powder.

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  14. What a lovely meal Sayantani! Love your photos....

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  15. wow what a vibrant looking curry! amazing!

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  16. hi sayantani...lovely recipe! photos looks amazing...as usuual!
    p.s thank u for leaving such wonderful comments on my blog...last year around december, your's was the first blog I had come across and read in my life! I loved it and wanted to have one of my very own! then ...when I started one and posted my first recipe you were the first to leave a comment! :) such events are never forgotten!:)

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  17. That looks gorgeous! been hunting for a Thai red curry recipe, and this looks perfect! Bookmarked!

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  18. Thanks Farah for this comment you really have a nice page but today I could not access yours. everytime am clicking on the link it directly akes me to your google plus account. please send me the URL so that I can follow you.

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  19. First chobi ta eto sundor je ami shudhu takiye achi.

    Ami red curry past use kori, nije banai ni paste ta kokhono.

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  20. Looks very delicious with the bright red color.I am very new to the blogging world and absolutely loving all your posts and clicks.

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  21. Thanks Sandeepa. tao foodgawker reject koreche chobita :-(

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  22. Very lovely clicks, delicious & mouthwatering curry recipe.

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  23. photos are so tempting that I dont even need to read the recipe to know how yummy this must taste! I usually buy curry paste - mainly just for time and lack of ingredients such as galangal.

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  24. This is just gorgeous as ever, and Thai cuisine is the one that I adore. cant take my eyes off from your beautiful snaps. I will give a try to your homemade curry paste, its so sounds originaal

    Sukanya

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  25. Tempting preparation and awesome clicks..

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  26. Oh my goodness, this looks fantastic! Your photos are gorgeous

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  27. I generally do not read non veg recipes as they make my stomach growl and honestly I am not qualified to comment as I do not cook it. But i am to make thia tomorrow and I looked it up. Am I glad I did. Thanks for the substitutes

    I am hosting Bake Fest all through Sept ’12. Do send me your entries
    I am also hosting Fast Food Not Fat Food 1st Sept to 15th Oct ’12. Do send me your entries

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  28. thanks for sharing...will try out sooon & let you know
    Tasty Appetite

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  29. The Thai curry definitely looks very inviting, chicken with vegetables is an irresistible treat with rice..yumm.

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  30. wonderful to come across ur blog. just love the color of the curry ...so appetizing :) wonderful blog...do drop by...

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  31. Hi no new post from you! Are you ok? I am concerned. Reshma

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  32. @Reshma, am so touched with your concern. the kid and I both are under the weather in a very bad way. right now both have recovered but very weak. will come back soon. thanks again for asking.

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  33. Oh how I could just drown in that gorgeous bowl full of gorgeousness :-)

    There's a yummy award waiting for you at my space :-) Do collect it. Congrats!!
    http://manjuseatingdelights.blogspot.com/2012/09/blog-awards-for-me-and-you-little-this.html

    Regards,
    Manju

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  34. I just happen to discover this beautiful blog you have here. Beautiful pictures and beautiful recipes. I certainly will be here again exploring and getting inspired.

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  35. such gorgeous pictures... btw, happy ashtami. :D

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  37. Tried today..came out very yummy..husband is full of praise..Thank you :)

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