Spicy Chili Chicken

Spicy Chili Chicken

This Malaysian curry recipe is from Meribe Jaman, born in Cocos Island but who came to Australia in 1974. Meribe is part of the Cocos-Malay community of Geraldton, WA. This makes enough to serve eight people, so it's great for large families or entertaining friends..

Ingredients:

2 tbsp coriander seeds

1 tbsp fennel seeds

1 tbsp tamarind paste

1 tsp ground turmeric

2 tsp belacan (shrimp paste)

6 garlic cloves

1 brown onion

generous handful of large red dried chilies soaked for a few seconds in hot water

pinch of salt

6 candlenuts

375 ml (1½) cups water

vegetable oil

2 whole chickens, jointed or 2 kg chicken pieces with bones

400 ml coconut milk

1 lemon, juiced

jasmine rice, to serve

Method:

1.      Blend the coriander seeds, fennel seeds, tamarind paste, turmeric, belacan, garlic, onion, soaked dried chillies, salt and candlenuts to a thick paste, adding the water to make it smooth.

2.      Cook the paste in a large wide pan with a little oil until aromatic and then add the chicken pieces and coconut milk, reserving about 100 ml to add at the end.

3.      Cook the chicken for about 30 minutes or until tender and cooked through. Add the remaining coconut milk and lemon juice and serve with steamed rice.