Monday, May 4, 2009

Bangladeshi Sweet Chicken Curry with Yoghurt


This is another recipe from Extending the Table, successor to the popular More with Less Cookbook. The original recipe calls for 3 onions and a whole 3-lb chicken. I have adjusted these amounts. For the spices, cardamom is expensive and I didn’t have coriander on hand, so I made it without these two spices and it was still good. I also served the ground red pepper on the side instead of adding it to the dish while cooking, to please the tender palates in my family.

Ingredients
½ to 1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Spices:
½ t ground ginger or 4 slices ginger root, grated
5 – 6 whole cloves or ½ t clove powder
5 -6 whole cardamom pods or ½ t ground cardamom (optional)
1 – 2 cinnamon sticks or 1 t ground cinnamon
1 t ground coriander (optional)
1 t ground cumin
¼ to ½ t ground red pepper
1 t salt

1 to 1 ½ lb chicken, whatever cuts you like best (I use breasts or tenders), skinned and cut in pieces
1 cup yoghurt or buttermilk
2 T shredded coconut
2 T raisins (optional)
1 cup water (optional, for more sauce)
additional yoghurt, buttermilk or sour cream, if desired

Method
Select a heavy pan with a lid that seals. Heat 2 T oil and fry the onion and garlic until soft and lightly brown. Add the spices, including salt, and fry about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the chicken, and brown on all sides. Mix and add yoghurt or buttermilk, coconut, raisins, and water. Cover and simmer 35 – 45 minutes for larger chicken pieces such as legs and thighs, 20 – 25 minutes if you have cut the meat into bite-sized pieces.
Despite the yoghurt or buttermilk, this recipe makes a watery, not a creamy, sauce. I suggest that instead of adding 1 cup of water before simmering, you wait until the end and then stir in about ¼ cup additional yoghurt, buttermilk, or sour cream just before serving. That will yield a creamier sauce.
Serve hot over rice. Serves two to four.

3 comments:

Julene said...

Hi Jen,
I got your link from my Mom's blog. When did you live in Indonesia? We're on Borneo. Maybe you've visited my blog? http://julesinindonesia.blogspot.com ?? So crazy to see Indonesian food posted here on your blog :-)

Julene said...

Ok, how funny!!! Hi Jen, I just looked at your picture!!! Ha ha ha! When are you coming back???

Jen said...

Julene, I'll e-mail you. :-)