RECIPE: VG'S CHICKEN CURRY I

We had chicken curry with STIR FRIED CHINESE CABBAGE for dinner tonight. This is a version of my chicken curry.

Ingredients
2 big coriander plants #
3 spring onions #
3 large red onions #
1 very large tomato #
Half a head of garlic #
Thumb size ginger #
1 chicken - cut into bite sized pieces
4 medium sized potatoes - quartered
1 large cinnamon stick *
6 cloves *
6 cardamoms *
2 sprig curry leaves *
1 tomato - cut chunky
1 large sprig coriander and 2 spring onions - sliced thinly
1/2 to 1 can coconut milk
3 heaped tablespoons Malaysian made MEAT curry powder (Parrot or Baba Brand) - can be found at Asian grocery shop. The reason I stressed meat is that there is a different curry powder blend for seafood. If you like your curry hotter, you can add more curry powder.
Salt to taste
Water
2 to 3 tbsp veg oil

Method
Grind together in a blender or processor all the # ingredients in a bit of water – make sure you don’t put too much water it would take a longer time to render the mixture down.

Heat oil until hot. Add spices and curry leaves (*). Then add ground ingredients (#). Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until ground spices form a paste.

Add in curry powder. Mix well. Add about 1 cup of water. Turn heat down to medium, stir constantly. Cook until oil releases from the paste and the paste is slightly dry (around 5 mins or so).

Add chicken. Coat well with paste. Cook for about 3 to 4 mins. Add about 1 cup of water and salt, and cook till chicken is nearly tender (half way through this process, put in the potatoes - you don't want your potatoes to crumble, or do you?). You may want to add more water if you like your chicken curry to be runny. Add coconut milk. This depends if you like your curry hot or mild. The more coconut milk you add, the milder it will be. Cook till chicken is tender. Before lifting, add in tomatoes. Cook for a minute. Add in coriander/spring onions.

Serve with rice or bread.

I normally have a side dish of stir fried vegtable and a cucumber/pineapple/onion salad or cucumber raita with this.
I know the process is long……but the experience is pleasurable! Happy trying!