| Chicken Korma |
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Korma just means a mild curry. Yet it is actually a very rich stew in which the meat, chicken or vegetables and nuts are braised in cream, yogurt or coconut milk.
Ingredients:
Serves 4 4 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil 3-4 garlic cloves 2 onions, finely chopped 2 green chillies, finely chopped 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander ½ tsp turmeric ¼ tsp salt 4 green cardamom pods, slightly crushed 2 tsp tomato puree 500g/1lb 2oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 250ml/9fl oz coconut milk 20 cashew nuts, ground 5cm/2in piece root ginger, peeled and grated A generous pinch garam masala
Preparation: Heat the oil in a large saucepan or wok over a medium heat and add the garlic, onions and chillies. Cook, stirring frequently, for 6-8 minutes until the onions turn golden brown. Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt and cardamom pods and fry for 1 minute, then stir in the tomato puree. Add the chicken pieces, reduce the heat to low and fry, stirring, for 7-8 minutes, or until they change colour. Bring 250ml/9fl oz water to the boil. Add the water and the coconut milk to the chicken, then add the ground nuts. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Check by cutting a piece of chicken in half – the juices should run clear. Stir in the ginger and sprinkle over the garam masala. Serve hot. |
| Kari Patta – Curry Leaves |
| Curry leaves lend a lingering aroma to the dish, and are discarded before serving. They come from the curry plant, a shrub native to India and Sri Lanka. They are slender, dark green and similar to a small, narrow bay leaf.
The leaves smell fresh and pleasant, remotely reminiscent of tangerines, and add an aromatic curry flavour to any dish. They are the trademark of southern Indian cooking, used to flavour meat, fish, vegetables, lentils, rice and bread. They are also used in preparing Madras curry powders. If you cannot get hold of fresh curry leaves, try the dried variety. You can buy either from Asian shops. |