GOURMET FAST
Malaysian chicken curry

Malaysian chicken curry

Serves 4



4 each   golden shallots, garlic cloves and long red chillies, coarsely chopped
20 gm   (4cm piece) ginger, coarsely chopped
1½ tbsp   vegetable oil
1   onion, thinly sliced
4 tsp   ground cardamom
1½ tsp   ground turmeric
8   chicken thigh fillets, cut into strips
400 ml   coconut milk
1   fresh curry leaf sprig (see note)
1   lemongrass stalk, bruised
1   each cinnamon quill and star anise
1½ tbsp   soft palm sugar, or to taste
To serve:   fried shallots (see note) and lime wedges
Coconut rice
400 ml   coconut milk
1   lemongrass stalk, bruised
½ tsp each   cumin seeds and coriander seeds, cracked in a mortar and pestle
400 gm   jasmine rice, rinsed


1 Process shallot, garlic, chilli and ginger in a food processor until finely chopped. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add chilli mixture, stir occasionally until fragrant (2 minutes). Add onion and spices, stir for 2 minutes, add chicken, stir to coat well. Add coconut milk, curry leaf sprig, lemongrass, cinnamon, star anise and 100ml water and simmer until chicken is tender (20 minutes). Season to taste with palm sugar and sea salt.
2 Meanwhile, for coconut rice, simmer coconut milk, lemongrass, spices and 200ml water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, add rice and bring to the simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook until rice is tender and liquid absorbed (15-20 minutes). Remove from heat, stand for 5 minutes and serve with hot chicken curry, scattered with fried shallots, with lime wedges.

Note Curry leaf sprigs and fried shallots are available from Asian grocers.

This recipe is from the August 2012 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller.

RECIPE Emma Knowles PHOTOGRAPHY Andy Lewis STYLING Emma Knowles


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